Air Quality in Fitness Centers: The Impact of Ventilation Restrictions-A Case Study

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Klara Slezakova (Author) FEUP; Cátia Teixeira (Author) Other; Maria do Carmo Pereira (Author) FEUP; Simone MOeais (Author) Other

Journal

Title: U.Porto Journal of Engineering

Vol. 8 No. 2

Pages: 26-35

Publisher: Universidade do Porto. Faculdade de Engenharia

Indexing

Scopus

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Natural sciences > Environmental science

Associated Projects

LEPABE - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 da Unidade de I&D LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

BioFirEx - Um painel de (bio)marcadores para a vigilância da saúde e da segurança do bombeiro

ALiCE - ALiCE - Laboratório Associado em Engenharia Química

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00W-Z2Y

DOI: 10.24840/2183-6493_008.004_0004

Abstract (EN): To stay healthy, people frequent sports facilities. This work aimed to evaluate air pollution and comfort parameters in a fitness club in the post lockdown period (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), focusing on particulate material (PM10, PM2.5) and gaseous pollutants (total volatile organic compounds-TVOCs, carbon dioxide-CO2, and carbon monoxide ¿ CO). Sampling was carried out for 10 consecutive days in October 2020 in one fitness center (Oporto, Portugal). The results showed that indoor PM10 ranged from 1.4 to 122.5 µg/m3 and PM2.5 was between 0.8 and 25 µg/m3; the overall levels were in accordance with the current legislation. TVOC means were 0.39 mg/m3 when not occupied and 0.43 mg/m3 when exercising subjects were present, thus also fulfilling the limit 0.6 mg/m3). Average CO2 was 1400 mg/m3 with temporal maxima (2660-2894 mg/m3) exceeding the protection threshold. Finally, temperature and relative humidity exceeded the recommended comfort levels, especially during group activity classes. © 2022, Universidade do Porto - Faculdade de Engenharia. All rights reserved.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific