Journal Top Ten, COLUMNS-Mold, August 2005

ARTICLE: "PM2.5 of ambient origin: estimates and exposure errors relevant to PM epidemiology"

SUMMARY: Epidemiological studies routinely use central-site particulate matter (PM) as a surrogate for exposure to PM of ambient (outdoor) origin. The authors quantified exposure errors that arise from variations in particle infiltration to aid evaluation of the use of this surrogate, rather than actual exposure, in PM epidemiology. Measurements from 114 homes in three cities from the Relationship of Indoor, Outdoor and Personal Air (RIOPA) study were used. Indoor PM2.5 of outdoor origin was calculated as follows: (1) …