Ricerc@Sapienza

The health effects of long-term exposure to ultrafine particles (UFPs) are poorly understood. Data on spatial contrasts in ambient ultrafine particles (UFPs) concentrations are needed with fine resolution. This study aimed to assess the spatial variability of total particle number concentrations (PNC, a proxy for UFPs) in the city of Rome, Italy, using land use regression (LUR) models, and the correspondent exposure of population here living. PNC were measured using condensation particle counters at the building facade of 28 homes throughout the city.

As epidemiological studies have shown a significant association between exposure to particles and mortality and
morbidity, depending on their different deposition efficiency in the pulmonary region, size-segregated parti-
culate matter (PM) samples were collected in workplaces where high PM concentrations were expected and
compared with the results from urban and background atmospheres.
We investigated the following workplaces: an analytical chemistry laboratory, a wastewater treatment plant,

Preliminary results concerning the VIEPI (Integrated Evaluation of Indoor Particulate Exposure) project are described. VIEPI project aimed at evaluating indoor air quality and exposure to particulate matter (PM) of humans within workplaces. Infiltration factors of PM in indoor environments of different sizes with different air ventilation regimes as well as their dependence on outdoor and indoor micrometeorology characteristics are some of the goals of the project. For these purposes, several indoor environments located on different sites of the Rome area were considered for the analysis.