Task specific assessment of particle exposure and low-cost sensor performance in indoor construction environments
In this study, a workplace measurement campaign was conducted during indoor renovation of two apartments following panel removal, wallpaper removal (dry/wet), sweeping (dry/wet), and floor removal (including insulation) tasks. Measurements with a low-cost sensor (LCS; OPC-N3; Alphasense) was compare...
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| Format: | Article |
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Elsevier
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Environment: X |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590162125000267 |
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| author | Anders Brostrøm Josephine Thalmann Jesper Baldtzer Liisberg Frederika Husovská Søren Hanghøj Møller Julie Tølbøl Rasmussen Thomas Nørregaard Jensen Søren Bendt Jensen Keld A. Jensen Thomas Cole-Hunter Ana S. Fonseca |
| author_facet | Anders Brostrøm Josephine Thalmann Jesper Baldtzer Liisberg Frederika Husovská Søren Hanghøj Møller Julie Tølbøl Rasmussen Thomas Nørregaard Jensen Søren Bendt Jensen Keld A. Jensen Thomas Cole-Hunter Ana S. Fonseca |
| author_sort | Anders Brostrøm |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, a workplace measurement campaign was conducted during indoor renovation of two apartments following panel removal, wallpaper removal (dry/wet), sweeping (dry/wet), and floor removal (including insulation) tasks. Measurements with a low-cost sensor (LCS; OPC-N3; Alphasense) was compared to a benchmark optical particle sizer (OPS, TSI Model 3330) to assess the applicability of this LCS in a construction worker environment. Additionally, ultrafine particle concentrations (<0.1 μm) were measured using a mobility particle sizer (NanoScan, TSI Model 3091) and a diffusion size classifier (DiSCmini).The highest particle number concentrations (PNC) were found during floor removal, dry sweeping, and wallpaper removal, where 63 % of particles were ultrafine (<0.1 μm) and 96 % were smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5). The PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter <10 μm) concentrations measured during some tasks exceeded the occupational exposure limit of 10 mg m−3 for total dust with values from 0.3 to 11 mg m−3. Analytical electron microscopy analysis revealed exposure to compounds such as talc, titania, quartz, and potential asbestos. Water-based dust control methods reduced PNC by at least 84 %, highlighting their effectiveness in mitigating exposure. LCS generally underestimated particle concentrations, particularly for PM1, which was underestimated ranging from 31 % to 92 %. The largest discrepancies occurred during high concentrations in the presence of ultrafine particles, such as floor removal and dry wallpaper removal. This study also emphasizes the importance of multi-metric measurements and breathing zone assessments to accurately evaluate worker exposure and improve occupational safety. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e1e28326b7d64dffb8f09791af9da514 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2590-1621 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmospheric Environment: X |
| spelling | doaj-art-e1e28326b7d64dffb8f09791af9da5142025-08-20T03:21:52ZengElsevierAtmospheric Environment: X2590-16212025-04-012610033610.1016/j.aeaoa.2025.100336Task specific assessment of particle exposure and low-cost sensor performance in indoor construction environmentsAnders Brostrøm0Josephine Thalmann1Jesper Baldtzer Liisberg2Frederika Husovská3Søren Hanghøj Møller4Julie Tølbøl Rasmussen5Thomas Nørregaard Jensen6Søren Bendt Jensen7Keld A. Jensen8Thomas Cole-Hunter9Ana S. Fonseca10National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen, DenmarkNational Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark; Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkNational Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen, DenmarkNational Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen, DenmarkDanish Technological Institute, Kongsvang Allé 29, Aarhus C, DK-8000, DenmarkDanish Technological Institute, Kongsvang Allé 29, Aarhus C, DK-8000, DenmarkDanish Technological Institute, Kongsvang Allé 29, Aarhus C, DK-8000, DenmarkNational Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen, DenmarkNational Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen, DenmarkSection of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkNational Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark; Corresponding author.In this study, a workplace measurement campaign was conducted during indoor renovation of two apartments following panel removal, wallpaper removal (dry/wet), sweeping (dry/wet), and floor removal (including insulation) tasks. Measurements with a low-cost sensor (LCS; OPC-N3; Alphasense) was compared to a benchmark optical particle sizer (OPS, TSI Model 3330) to assess the applicability of this LCS in a construction worker environment. Additionally, ultrafine particle concentrations (<0.1 μm) were measured using a mobility particle sizer (NanoScan, TSI Model 3091) and a diffusion size classifier (DiSCmini).The highest particle number concentrations (PNC) were found during floor removal, dry sweeping, and wallpaper removal, where 63 % of particles were ultrafine (<0.1 μm) and 96 % were smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5). The PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter <10 μm) concentrations measured during some tasks exceeded the occupational exposure limit of 10 mg m−3 for total dust with values from 0.3 to 11 mg m−3. Analytical electron microscopy analysis revealed exposure to compounds such as talc, titania, quartz, and potential asbestos. Water-based dust control methods reduced PNC by at least 84 %, highlighting their effectiveness in mitigating exposure. LCS generally underestimated particle concentrations, particularly for PM1, which was underestimated ranging from 31 % to 92 %. The largest discrepancies occurred during high concentrations in the presence of ultrafine particles, such as floor removal and dry wallpaper removal. This study also emphasizes the importance of multi-metric measurements and breathing zone assessments to accurately evaluate worker exposure and improve occupational safety.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590162125000267Occupational exposureParticle emissionsLow-cost sensorsDust suppressionIndoorConstruction |
| spellingShingle | Anders Brostrøm Josephine Thalmann Jesper Baldtzer Liisberg Frederika Husovská Søren Hanghøj Møller Julie Tølbøl Rasmussen Thomas Nørregaard Jensen Søren Bendt Jensen Keld A. Jensen Thomas Cole-Hunter Ana S. Fonseca Task specific assessment of particle exposure and low-cost sensor performance in indoor construction environments Atmospheric Environment: X Occupational exposure Particle emissions Low-cost sensors Dust suppression Indoor Construction |
| title | Task specific assessment of particle exposure and low-cost sensor performance in indoor construction environments |
| title_full | Task specific assessment of particle exposure and low-cost sensor performance in indoor construction environments |
| title_fullStr | Task specific assessment of particle exposure and low-cost sensor performance in indoor construction environments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Task specific assessment of particle exposure and low-cost sensor performance in indoor construction environments |
| title_short | Task specific assessment of particle exposure and low-cost sensor performance in indoor construction environments |
| title_sort | task specific assessment of particle exposure and low cost sensor performance in indoor construction environments |
| topic | Occupational exposure Particle emissions Low-cost sensors Dust suppression Indoor Construction |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590162125000267 |
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