Measurement and modelling of short-term variations in particle concentrations in UK homes.

Looked at seven residential buildings in northern England to analyse the causes of short-term variations in particle number concentrations. High short-term peak concentrations arose from cooking, smoking and physical activity. The loss rate of particles after emissions stopped depended on the particle size range. The relative importance of deposition and air exchange in particle loss rates were quantified by simultaneous measurement of particle number concentration and air exchange rate. Air exchange was the dominant process in the size range 1-2 microns, and deposition for the size range 7.5-10 microns. States that the loss rate is critically important in determining the impacts of short-term emissions on longer-term particle exposures indoors.