Indoor Air Quality Assessment in Grocery Stores

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a public and occupational health concern, as we are exposed to air pollutants daily given that spend great amount of our time in indoor environments. IAQ can be affected by numerous factors, from outdoor get indoors through ventilation building materials, furnishings, activities carried the occupants. Exposure has been linked panoply adverse effects on health, well-being, performance. The aim this study was assess grocery stores (GSs) municipality Cascais Lisbon metropolitan area (Portugal) characterize workers’ exposure pollutants. conducted 13 small “family” stores. monitoring campaign using low-cost sensor technologies focused several parameters, namely: carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM10 PM2.5), temperature (T), relative humidity (RH). Overall, studied GSs complied with Portuguese legislation, except for PM2.5, where 23% presented levels above established limit value. mean inhaled dose workers during workday estimated 157.7 ± 57.2 μg PM2.5 165.8 56.0 PM10. assessment allowed identification best strategies improve worker experience workplace