| Abstract: | Two studies evaluating the levels and sources of nitrogen dioxide in approximately 90 employee homes in the Richmond area with continuous sampling during the weeks of August 5, 1980, and February 9, 1981, were performed using samplers in the living room, bedroom, kitchen, and outdoors. Additional data were collected concerning appliance usage, heating/cooling plant, ventilation and cigarette smoking. Results were analyzed using BMDP routines. The largest contributor to NO2 concentration was found to be gas-fired kitchen appliances. The mean kitchen level for homes with gas appliances during the winter study was 188 μg/m3. Excluding participants with gas kitchens, incremental influence due to cigarette smoking was detected. The 7-day, 3-room average level of NO2 in the homes of nonsmokers and smokers without gas-fired appliances was 12 and 15 μg/m3, respectively, in the summer. The corresponding winter values were 19 and 22 μg/m3. Furthermore, the individual levels of NO2 in the homes of smokers were generally below both the adjacent outdoor level and the National Ambient Air Quality Standard limit for annual exposure. |
