INTERFACIAL CHEMISTRY IN INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

摘要

Surface chemistry greatly influences human exposure to reactants and products in indoor environments. To illustrate one of the more dramatic instances, ozone reactions on indoor surfaces result in a 2-10-fold reduction in indoor ozone concentrations while simultaneously increasing levels of the products of ozone reactions. Chemistry that occurs at interfaces is remarkably important because compared with outdoor settings, the available surface area is extremely large relative to the building volume; surface sorption extends the average residence time of reactants and increases the probability that conversions will occur; and unique compositions and morphologies at indoor surfaces can promote some reactions or promote selectivity in reaction pathways. Because many people spend 80-90% of their time indoors, this chemistry can have a dramatic impact on personal exposure. To assess the current state of knowledge in this area, researchers and other experts recently participated in the Workshop on Interfacial Chemistry in Indoor Environments sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the Environmental Research Center of the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Workshop participants identified research needs and ranked gaps in the existing knowledge base of indoor interfacial chemistry, particularly as they relate to human exposure to air pollutants. This article, which is based on discussions held at the workshop, provides an overview of indoor surface chemistry, primarily due to smog reactions, with an eye toward how we might reduce occupant exposure to air pollution. The full NSF report is available online (1).