Determinants of Indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> Concentration in Senior Housing with Gas Stoves

Nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) and particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) are air pollutants that impact health, especially among vulnerable populations with respiratory disease. This study identifies factors influencing indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and...

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Main Authors: Khafayat Kadiri, David Turcotte, Rebecca Gore, Anila Bello, Susan R. Woskie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Toxics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/12/901
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author Khafayat Kadiri
David Turcotte
Rebecca Gore
Anila Bello
Susan R. Woskie
author_facet Khafayat Kadiri
David Turcotte
Rebecca Gore
Anila Bello
Susan R. Woskie
author_sort Khafayat Kadiri
collection DOAJ
description Nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) and particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) are air pollutants that impact health, especially among vulnerable populations with respiratory disease. This study identifies factors influencing indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> in low-income households of older adults with asthma who use gas stoves in Lowell, Massachusetts. Environmental sampling was conducted in 73 homes, measuring NO<sub>2</sub>, PM<sub>2.5</sub>, fractional stove-use, temperature, and humidity for 5–7 days. Participants were recruited between December 2020 and July 2022. Questionnaires were used to collect data on factors influencing indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations. Daily outdoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations were obtained from a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitoring station. Paired <i>t</i>-tests were conducted between indoor and outdoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations, and linear regression was used to evaluate factors influencing indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations. The average indoor concentration for NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> were 21.8 (GSD = 2.1) ppb and 16.2 (GSD = 2.7) µg/m<sup>3</sup>, respectively. Indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations exceeded outdoor concentrations significantly. In multiple regression models, season and pilot light stove use significantly predicted indoor NO<sub>2</sub>. Season and air freshener use for 6–7 days/week significantly predicted indoor PM<sub>2.5</sub>. Season-influenced higher indoor concentrations are likely due to reduced ventilation in colder months in the Northeast U.S.
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spelling doaj-art-806cb47e78fa4b068454ab8e9aff14ec2025-08-20T02:51:10ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042024-12-01121290110.3390/toxics12120901Determinants of Indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> Concentration in Senior Housing with Gas StovesKhafayat Kadiri0David Turcotte1Rebecca Gore2Anila Bello3Susan R. Woskie4Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USACenter for Community Research and Engagement, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USADepartment of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USADepartment of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USADepartment of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USANitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) and particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) are air pollutants that impact health, especially among vulnerable populations with respiratory disease. This study identifies factors influencing indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> in low-income households of older adults with asthma who use gas stoves in Lowell, Massachusetts. Environmental sampling was conducted in 73 homes, measuring NO<sub>2</sub>, PM<sub>2.5</sub>, fractional stove-use, temperature, and humidity for 5–7 days. Participants were recruited between December 2020 and July 2022. Questionnaires were used to collect data on factors influencing indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations. Daily outdoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations were obtained from a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitoring station. Paired <i>t</i>-tests were conducted between indoor and outdoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations, and linear regression was used to evaluate factors influencing indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations. The average indoor concentration for NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> were 21.8 (GSD = 2.1) ppb and 16.2 (GSD = 2.7) µg/m<sup>3</sup>, respectively. Indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations exceeded outdoor concentrations significantly. In multiple regression models, season and pilot light stove use significantly predicted indoor NO<sub>2</sub>. Season and air freshener use for 6–7 days/week significantly predicted indoor PM<sub>2.5</sub>. Season-influenced higher indoor concentrations are likely due to reduced ventilation in colder months in the Northeast U.S.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/12/901nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>)particulate matter (PM)gas stoves
spellingShingle Khafayat Kadiri
David Turcotte
Rebecca Gore
Anila Bello
Susan R. Woskie
Determinants of Indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> Concentration in Senior Housing with Gas Stoves
Toxics
nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>)
particulate matter (PM)
gas stoves
title Determinants of Indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> Concentration in Senior Housing with Gas Stoves
title_full Determinants of Indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> Concentration in Senior Housing with Gas Stoves
title_fullStr Determinants of Indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> Concentration in Senior Housing with Gas Stoves
title_full_unstemmed Determinants of Indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> Concentration in Senior Housing with Gas Stoves
title_short Determinants of Indoor NO<sub>2</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> Concentration in Senior Housing with Gas Stoves
title_sort determinants of indoor no sub 2 sub and pm sub 2 5 sub concentration in senior housing with gas stoves
topic nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>)
particulate matter (PM)
gas stoves
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/12/901
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