The results of a new scientific investigation have been published as part of the 'VIEPI - Integrated Assessment of Indoor Particulate Exposure' project which studies the correlations between atmospheric particulate concentrations and micro-climatic conditions in indoor environments, for understanding the implications related to work exposures "
The aim of the study launched by Inail with CNR-IIA, CNR-ISAC, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Cagliari, ENEA, is to evaluate the health effects of atmospheric particulate levels in relation to the microclimate in different working environments at closed.
Exposure is a key aspect of studies evaluating the effects of air pollution. In industrialized countries and, in particular, in urban environments, the population spends more than 90% of their time indoors, i.e. at home, in the office, in the car and in places of education such as schools and universities. In these environments the concentration of pollutants can vary over time, and depends not only on the nature of the sources of the pollutants, both external and internal, but also on the ventilation of the rooms themselves and on the habits and activities carried out by the occupants.
Atmospheric particulate matter is among the pollutants that deserve more attention due to its chemical and dimensional complexity and its ability to penetrate the human body, affecting various organs, including lungs, heart, liver, kidneys and brain. Among the mechanisms by which atmospheric particles exert their toxic action on target organs, oxidative stress, the weakening of the immune defenses and the increase in inflammation of the airways and of the organism in general have been highlighted.
It has recently been highlighted that the presence and movement of individuals within closed environments also constitute an important source of particulate matter, which is added to the other internal sources and infiltrations from the outside (e.g. the particles produced by vehicular traffic). Individuals therefore constitute both a source and a receptor of pollution itself.
The CNR-IIA team of researchers is working to carry out the detailed dimensional and chemical characterization of atmospheric particles in the university classroom as a case study. For two months the air that is breathed by students and teachers will be studied using cutting-edge analytical techniques, which also include chemical assays to determine the ability of dust to cause oxidative stress in exposed organisms.
The data obtained will be processed in order to obtain information on the chemistry of indoor particulate matter, on the internal sources of the particles and on the role played by the presence of people. In collaboration with the other groups participating in the project, the role of external meteorological conditions in determining the infiltration of particles and their distribution within the environment will also be evaluated.