CHARACTERIZATION OF PARTICLE TYPES IN MODERN OFFICES

摘要

We studied particle types in six office buildings in Oslo. None of the buildings were identified to have "sick building" problems. 20 samples in one of the office buildings were analysed for bacteria and fungal spores by fluorescence microscopy (FM). 32 samples in 6 office buildings were analysed for fungal spores, chemical particle types and particle size by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The particles were divided into four different size groups: > 10 μm, 5-10 μm, 1-5 μm and < 1 μm. No bacteria and fungal spores were found. The following particle types were recognized: concrete, gypsum, other mineral particles, metallic, iron oxide, other inorganic particles, skin scales, organic fibres, other organic particles and aggregates of small particles (probably diesel exhaust and soot). Particles < 1 μm could not be classified because chemical typing was not possible due to their small size. As expected the particle concentration dramatically increased for finer particle classes.