lnstitut für Sensorik und Elektronik

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Air cleaners and respiratory infections in schools. A modeling study using epidemiological, environmental, and molecular data
(Oxford University Press, 30.12.2023) Banholzer, Nicolas; Jent, Philipp; Bittel, Pascal; Zürcher, Kathrin; Furrer, Lavinia; Bertschinger, Simon; Weingartner, Ernest; Ramette, Alban; Egger, Matthias; Hascher, Tina; Fenner, Lukas
AbstractBackgroundUsing a multiple-measurement approach, we examined the real-world effectiveness of portable HEPA-air filtration devices (air cleaners) in a school setting.MethodsWe collected environmental (CO2, particle concentrations), epidemiological (absences related to respiratory infections), audio (coughing), and molecular data (bioaerosol and saliva samples) over seven weeks during winter 2022/2023 in two Swiss secondary school classes. Using a cross-over study design, we compared particle concentrations, coughing, and the risk of infection with vs without air cleaners.ResultsAll 38 students (age 13−15 years) participated. With air cleaners, mean particle con-centration decreased by 77% (95% credible interval 63%−86%). There were no differences in CO2levels. Absences related to respiratory infections were 22 without vs 13 with air cleaners. Bayesian modeling suggested a reduced risk of infection, with a posterior probability of 91% and a relative risk of 0.73 (95% credible interval 0.44−1.18). Coughing also tended to be less frequent (posterior probability 93%). Molecular analysis detected mainly non-SARS-CoV-2 viruses in saliva (50/448 positive), but not in bioaerosols (2/105 positive) or HEPA-filters (4/160). The detection rate was similar with vs without air cleaners. Spatiotemporal analysis of positive saliva samples identified several likely transmissions.ConclusionsAir cleaners improved air quality, showed a potential benefit in reducing respiratory infections, and were associated with less coughing. Airborne detection of non-SARS-CoV-2 viruses was rare, suggesting that these viruses may be more difficult to detect in the air. Future studies should examine the importance of close contact and long-range transmission, and the cost-effectiveness of using air cleaners.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Hygroscopic growth and water uptake kinetics of two-phase aerosol particles consisting of ammonium sulfate, adipic and humic acid mixtures
(Elsevier, 02/2007) Sjögren, Staffan; Gysel, Martin; Weingartner, Ernest; Baltensperger, Urs; Cubison, Michael J.; Coe, Hugh; Zardini, Alessandro A.; Marcolli, Claudia; Krieger, Ulrich K.; Peter, Thomas
The hygroscopic growth of solid aerosol particles consisting of mixtures of ammonium sulfate and either adipic acid or Aldrich humic acid sodium salt was characterized with a hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer and an electrodynamic balance. In particular, the time required for the aerosol particle phase and the surrounding water vapor to reach equilibrium at high relative humidity (RH) was investigated. Depending on the chemical composition of the particles, residence times of > 40 s were required to reach equilibrium at 85% RH, yielding up to a 7% reduction in the measured hygroscopic growth factors from measurements at 4 s residence time compared to measurements at equilibrium. We suggest that the solid organic compound, when present as the dominant component, encloses the water-soluble inorganic salt in veins and cavities, resulting in the observed slow water uptake. Comparison with predictions from the Zdanovskii-Stokes-Robinson relation shows enhanced water uptake of the mixed particles. This is explained with the presence of the salt solution in veins resulting in a negative curvature of the solution meniscus at the opening of the vein. In conclusion, it is important for studies of mixtures of water soluble compounds with insoluble material to allow for sufficient residence time at the specified humidity to reach equilibrium before the hygroscopicity measurements.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Trace metals in ambient air. Hourly size-segregated mass concentrations determined by synchrotron-XRF
(American Chemical Society, 28.06.2005) Bukowiecki, Nicolas; Hill, Matthias; Gehrig, Robert; Zwicky, Christoph N.; Lienemann, Peter; Hegedüs, Ferenc; Falkenberg, Gerald; Weingartner, Ernest; Baltensperger, Urs
Trace metals are ubiquitous in urban ambient air, with mass concentrations in the range of a few μg/m³ down to less than 100 pg/m³. To measure such low concentrations represents a challenge for chemical and physical analysis. In this study, ambient aerosol was collected in Zürich (Switzerland) in 1-h intervals and three size fractions (aerodynamic diameters 0.1−1 μm, 1−2.5 μm, and 2.5−10 μm), using a three-stage rotating drum impactor (RDI). The samples were analyzed by energy-dispersive Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (SR-XRF) to obtain size-segregated hourly elemental aerosol mass concentrations for Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, and Pb, along with S, Cl, and Ca under the selected experimental conditions. The high sensitivity of SR-XRF allowed for detection limits of <50 pg/m³ for most of the above elements, with a net analysis time of only 15 s per sample. The data obtained with this technique illustrate that there is a considerable gain of relevant information when time resolution for measurements is increased from 1 day to 1 h. The individual size fractions of a specific element may show significantly different short-term patterns.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift