Time-resolved identification and measurement of indoor air pollutants by spectroscopic techniques: gaseous nitrous acid, methanol, formaldehyde and formic acid.

Abstract

The results are reported of a quantitative study of HONO, NO{sub 2} and H{sub 2}CO levels in the mobile office/home using a new residential, gas-fired kitchen stove and kerosene- or propane-fueled space heaters. We also report results from the use of an FT-IR spectrometer which allowed us to search not only for nitric acid in the polluted indoor air containing HONO and NO{sub 2}, but also for organics. We report for the first time the unambiguous, simultaneous identification and measurement of indoor gaseous HCOOH and CH{sub 3}OH, apparently from the building materials which, like the HONO, are at levels exceeding those typically found in outdoor urban environments.