Size-resolved particulate matter inside selected fire stations and preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of washing machines in reducing its concentrations

Abstract

The study aimed to determine and compare the mass concentration and size distribution of particulate matter (PM) at two Polish fire stations, one equipped with a washing machine intended for the decontamination of uniforms (FSN) and the other not equipped with this type of device (FSC), to assess the effectiveness of washing machines in reducing PM concentrations inside fire stations and estimate PM doses inhaled by firefighters while performing activities in truck bays and changing rooms during one work shift. The average PM concentrations at the FSN were 18.2-28.9 µg/m³ and 27.5-37.3 µg/m³, while at FSC they were 27.4-37.9 µg/m³ and 24.6-32.8 µg/m³ in the truck bays and changing rooms, respectively. At each measurement point, most of the PM mass (65-75%) was accumulated as fine particles. The dominance of fine particles in the total mass of PM results in high values of PM deposition coefficients (0.59-0.61) in three sections of the respiratory tract at each monitoring site. This study initially indicates the effectiveness of washing machines in reducing the concentration of fine particles and demonstrates the necessity, as well as directions for further research in this area.

Keywords: Combustion byproducts; Fire station; Firefighters; Indoor air; Particulate matter; Uniforms.

Figure 1

Measurement site.

Figure 2

Ranges and 8-h average concentrations of PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₄, PM₁₀, and PM₁₀₀ (μg/m³) in the truck bays and changing rooms at two fire stations (FSN in North Poland, equipped with a washing machine; FCS in Central Poland, not equipped with a washing machine). Boxes show the range between the 25th and 75th percentiles. The whiskers extend from the edge of the box to the 5th and 95th percentiles of data. Dots indicate outliers. The horizontal line inside indicates the median value.

Figure 3

Average hourly distribution of PM concentrations (μg/m³) in the truck bays and changing rooms at two fire stations (FSN in North Poland, equipped with a washing machine; FCS in Central Poland not, equipped with a washing machine).

Figure 4

Average percentage shares of individual particulate matter fractions in the total mass of particulate matter in the truck bays and changing rooms at two fire stations (FSN in North Poland, equipped with a washing machine; FCS in Central Poland, not equipped with a washing machine).