Assessment of indoor air quality in health clubs: insights into (ultra)fine and coarse particles and gaseous pollutants

Abstract

Introduction: Exercising on regular basis provides countless health benefits. To ensure the health, well-being and performance of athletes, optimal indoor air quality, regular maintenance and ventilation in sport facilities are essential. Methods: This study assessed the levels of particulate, down to the ultrafine range (PM10, PM2.5, and particle number concentration in size range of 20-1,000 nm, i.e., - PNC20-1000 nm), gaseous pollutants (total volatile organic compounds - TVOCs, CO2, and O-3) and comfort parameters (temperature - T, relative humidity - RH) in different functional spaces of health clubs (n = 8), under specific occupancy and ventilation restrictions. Results and Discussion: In all HCs human occupancy resulted in elevated particles (up to 2-3 times than those previously reported), considering mass concentrations (PM10: 1.9-988.5 mu g/m(3) PM2.5: 1.6-479.3 mu g/m(3)) and number (PNC 1.23 x 10(3) - 9.14 x 10(4) #/cm(3)). Coarse and fine PM indicated a common origin (r(s) = 0.888-0.909), while PNC showed low-moderate associations with particle mass (r(s) = 0.264-0.629). In addition, up to twice-higher PM and PNC were detected in cardiofitness & bodybuilding (C&B) areas as these spaces were the most frequented, reinforcing the impacts of occupational activities. In all HCs, TVOCs (0.01-39.67 mg/m(3)) highly exceeded the existent protection thresholds (1.6-8.9 times) due to the frequent use of cleaning products and disinfectants (2-28 times higher than in previous works). On contrary to PM and PNC, TVOCs were higher (1.1-4.2 times) in studios than in C&B areas, due to the limited ventilations combined with the smaller room areas/volumes. The occupancy restrictions also led to reduced CO2 (122-6,914 mg/m(3)) than previously observed, with the lowest values in HCs with natural airing. Finally, the specific recommendations for RH and T in sport facilities were largely unmet thus emphasizing the need of proper ventilation procedures in these spaces.