AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 1

Comparison on Air Quality Improvement in Gym and FTC of International School of

Beijing Over Time

Jeewoong Chang

Daniel Liu, Boris Wang, Aileen Brown

International School of Beijing

Mark Mcgarigal

Author Note

Jeewoong Chang, Biology 1, International School of Beijing

This research was conducted as a final product for Understanding Biodiversity

unit of Biology 1 course.

Correspondence concerning this should be addressed to Jeewoong Chang,

homeroom 9-4, Biology 1, International School of Beijing. Shunyi district, Beijing

province, Peoples Republic of China.

Contact: jeewoong.chang@student.isb.bj.edu.cn

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 2 Abstract

This paper is a follow-up of an air pollution-monitoring project conducted in

International School of Beijing. PM2.5 was monitored on 15 days at 31 sites on total over the

course of 3 semesters, which will occasionally be called phases. This research, however,

concentrates on two main bodies of fitness areas gyms located at schools main building, and

the Fitness and Tennis Center (FTC) with its own airlock and air filtration supplies. Low gym air

quality of phase 1 and 2 Floor gyms rapid improvement is investigated to determine the cause.

The reason is suspected to be 30% of the air filtration capacity increase between phase 1 and 2.

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 3 Table of Contents

1. Abstract2

2. Table of Contents.3

3. Introduction..4-7

A. Background information..4-6

B. Research Question...7

4. Procedures8-10

5. Results.10-18

A. Site Locations...10-12

B. Data collection (Raw data)....12-14

C. Processed data...14-18

6. Conclusion....19-20

7. Appendix..21-25

A. Appendix A.21

B. Appendix B.22-24

C. Appendix C.24-25

8. Bibliography..26

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 4

Comparison on Air Quality Improvement in Gym and FTC of International School of Beijing

Over Time

Introduction

Background Information

Air pollution composition. Environment institutions classify air pollutant into several

major industrial waste and particles (particulate matter, PM). Particulate matter, composed of

smoke (PM15), fine particles (PM10), and ultrafine particles (PM2.5), stands for airborne matter

[respectively] with an aerodynamic diameter of less than [15m, 10m and] 2.5m(Frederick

2007).

Health influence. Toxicity of particulate matter varies on the size of the particle. Two

researches shown in figure 1 and table 1 both state that PM2.5 is the unhealthiest air pollutant

(AirKorea 2014, Sinyoon 2002). Thus, this paper will only concentrate on PM2.5 readings.

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 5 Figure 1 Percentage of Economic Loss from Each Air Pollutant Out of All Air Pollution-

Related Loss

Table 1 Relationship Between Particle Matter Diameter and Health Influence

Diameter Type Health Influence

5.0m

Fine,

Smoke

Once inhaled into throat's mucous membrane, either excreted by

ciliary movement as expectoration or sent to the stomach

If it is not clear whether the data presented represents a healthy air quality or not, refer to

table below (WHO 2005). In short, possibility of a premature death increases by 7%

when ultrafine particle concentration increases by 5g (Biren 2013). This might depend,

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Per

cent

age

of E

cono

mic

Los

s (F

inal

cial

Ris

k M

anag

emen

t)

Pollutant Type

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 6 though. Some pollutant matter, such as the black carbon, is classified as a category 1

carcinogen. Such differences were not considered in this paper.

Table 2 World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines and (Revised) US Air Quality Index

Authority PM2.5 Level Health influence

US

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 7 Variables. The dependent variables of this study were PM2.5 concentrations of selected

locations, whereas the independent variables were the year and site location of testing. The

diagram below specifies the significance of each independent variable.

Table 3 Gym and FTC Air Filtration Upgrades

Phase

(Semester)

Gym FTC

Pressure

(Negative/Positive)

Filter Pressure

(Negative/Positive)

Filter

1

(2013-2)

- F-9 filter in AHU + HEPA

filter

2

(2014-1)

+ 34 replaced F-6, F-8,

H-14 filter; 30%+

capacity

+ HEPA

filter

3

(2014-2)

+ 24 replaced HEPA

filter, more pressure

+ HEPA

filter

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 8 Procedure

The objective of this experiment is to calculate the PM2.5 value of each location. Note that

participants should not seal the inlet or outlet button for any cause. Pressing unnecessary key

may disturb the process and oblige to redo the process.

Materials

1 Sidepak AM510 (It is recommended to use the same sidepak for same location) and all

the necessary accessory including

- 1 zero filter

- 1 hygrometer

1 data sheet per day (See appendix A) with writing supplies

1 device with following functions

- Stop watch

- measuring time in 24 hour

Methods

Pre-monitoring.

1. Turn on AM510 by pressing PAGE key

2. Wait until AM510 is running on survey

mode

3. Press PAGE key to reach main menu

4. Scroll down with ARROW KEY to

Zero Cal and press RETURN key

5. Attach Zero Filter to the inlet at front

when AM510 prompts you to and press

Figure 2 PAGE key

Figure 3 RETURN

key

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 9 RETURN key

6. Wait for the 1-minute countdown to

complete and AM510 will show Zero

Cal Complete

7. Switch to MAIN MENU

Figure 4 "Zero Cal"

Figure 5 "Zero Filter"

Figure 6 Zero Cal Process

PM2.5 data collection.

1. Run AM510 on survey mode for 3-5 minutes for it to warm up

2. Press PAGE key

3. When AM510 shows Data Log, press RETURN key twice and select Run Manual

4. AM510 will display Logging Data for the data collection period (minimum 1 minute)

5. Keep the machine about 1.5 meter high and at arms length from disruption

6. After 1 or more minute, press RETURN key twice to save logged data

7. Keep the machine running until all data is collected (see figure)

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 10 8. Hold PAGE key to turn AM510 off

Additional data collection

1. During data collection period, use hygrometer to record the relative humidity (RH) value

on data sheet

2. Record the time for every data

Data access and process

1. Press RETURN to access Statistics

2. Display Statistics will inform which Test # the logged data is stored

3. Scroll under with ARROW keys and record the AVG value on data sheet

4. Convert AM510s mg/m3 value into g/m3 by multiplying 1000

Maintenance

1. Insure that all sidepaks are calibrated with BAM PM2.5 Monitor

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 11 Results

Site Locations

In this experiment, data was collected from the course of August 21st to September 1st. Out of all

56 data collection cites, this research only uses extracted data on 8 sites for the experimental

group and 5 sites for the control group. Although 1 new FTC cite was monitored in year 2014, its

data were not used for the sake of continuity. Data from previous semesters were alto taken to

account.

Figure 7 Gym Site locations

Note. Although gym 3 is shown to be on second floor, data was collected from first floor.

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 12 Figure 8 Diagram Comparing Main Building (with gyms) and FTC

Note. Map obtained from map.baidu.com might be outdated

Data Collection (Raw Data)

AM510 devices. Two AM510 devices, number 5 and 6, were used to monitor gyms and

FTCs, respectively. Number 1, 3, and 6 AM510 were used to monitor outdoor areas.

Collected data. For each set of data, PM2.5 concentration in mg/m3, g/m3; relative

humidity, time (34hr), side pack number, and AQI were recorded. In cases with 2 sets of data per

day, an average PM2.5 concentration in g/m3 was calculated by using Microsoft excel.

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 13 Table 4 Averaging Two Sets of Data Example

Note. Look at Appendix B for full data.

The only necessary variables; average PM2.5 value, date, and site location, were then

extracted from raw data in order to be easily processed. An annual average of the selected data

also calculated so that trend line could be drawn. For some specific set of data, set 1 and set 2

was also considered.

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 14 Figure 9 Selected Data Example

Note. Look at Appendix C for all selected data tables.

Table 5 Averaged Out Data For Specific Cite Locations Over Time

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 15 Processed Data

Annual PM2.5. The graph below displays the average PM2.5 value of all experimental

sites, and one single averaged value of all 6 control sites in a two-column line graph. Log axis

were used for outdoors only. Log axis was applicable to this context, considering that it doesnt

have to be precisely compared with the gyms and FTC.

Figure 10 Air Quality Improvements of Specific Site Locations Over Time

1 10 100

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

2013 Winter 2014 Spring 2014 Winter

Aver

age

PM

2.5

(Out

door

s)

Aver

age

PM

2.5

(0.

1g/

m3 )

Semester

Gym 1

Gym 2

Gym 3

FTC Lobby

FTC Tennis

FTC Multi

FTC Workout 1st Floor

FTC Workout 2nd Floor

Outdoors

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 16 Figure 11 Group Average Air Quality Improvement Over Time

2013 Daily PM2.5 Reduction. Figure 12 displays the daily outdoor PM2.5 concentration

in comparison with indoor PM2.5 values, one graph per year. Some outdoor sites might be

missing, depending on the phase.

2013 High-Pollution-Day PM2.5. Figure 13 and 14 are detailed graphs on Day-3 and

Day-5 of the first phase. They are only two days where an indoor reading exceeds outdoor

reading.

1 10 100

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

2013 Winter 2014 Spring 2014 Winter

Aver

age

PM

2.5

(0.

1g/

m3 )

Semester

All gyms All FTC All outdoors

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 17 Figure 12 Indoor Air Quality of 2013 in Comparison With Outdoor Average

Figure 13 Air Quality of Day 3, 2013, of Each sets

0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0

100.0

22/8 23/8 26/8 27/8 28/8 29/8

Aver

age

PM

2.5

(0.

1g/

m3 )

Date (of 2013)

Gym1 Gym2 Gym3 FTC Lobby FTC Tennis FTC Multi FTC Workout 1st Floor FTC Workout 2nd Floor Outdoors

0 20 40 60 80 100

120

10:30 (1st Set) 12:30 (2nd Set)

PM

2.5

(0.

1g/

m3 )

Time (# of set)

Outdoor - Bus parking lot Outdoor - FTC courtyard Gym1 Gym2 Gym3 FTC Lobby FTC Tennis FTC Multi FTC Workout 1st Floor

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 18 Figure 14 Air Quality of Day 5, 2013, of Each Sets

0 20 40 60 80 100

120 140 160

9:00 (1st Set) 12:00 (2nd Set)

PM

2.5

(0.

1g/

m3 )

Time (# of set)

Outdoor - FTC courtyard Outdoor - Bus parking lot Gym1 Gym2 Gym3 FTC Lobby FTC Tennis FTC Multi FTC Workout 1st Floor FTC Workout 2nd Floor

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 19

Conclusion and Discussion

In general, filtration improvement explained in detail in table 2 of the main building

has significantly improved gyms quality to a similar, even better degree than FTC, which

constantly scored low in PM2.5 concentration (look at Figure 11). Such improvements include

filter upgrades, higher pressure, and capacity increase. It can also be said that all other large

spaced [had] relatively higher readings(Gerik 2014).

Referring to figure 10, Gym 1 and 2, both on the second floor as shown in figure 7,

experienced a more sudden air quality improvement during the second phase. Considering low-

pressure problems prior to 2013, more detailed graphs, figure 12 to 14, were examined to

determine why 2nd floor gyms had better air quality in phase 2. Figure 13 and 14 shows that

pollutant concentration monitored afternoon tends to be higher (although specimen is too small

to generalize). Each time, the reading in gym exceeded all outdoor readings, which shows that

the high readings were not a trick of average. In other word, higher gym readings were not

because of an extremely low concentration in long distance from the main building, such as the

bus parking lot. A more likely explanation is that air pressure easily fluctuated during the first

phase.

Low pollution days from Figure 12 October 23rd and 29th shows that gym air handling

units (AHU) of phase 1 was capable of cleaning a small amount of air pollutant. Referring back

to figure 13 and 14, we can thus conclude that the most significant change between first and

second phase were the capacity increase, which possibly allowed a more stable pressurizing.

Discussion. As previously explained, comparison between the first and second sets are

not valid, mainly because of lack of data. Although I think that gyms in second floor got more

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 20 influence from the increased capacity, more processed data on main building is needed to have a

concrete conclusion.

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 21 Appendix

Appendix A.

Table 6 Data Sheet of AM510 #1-3

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 22

Appendix B.

Table 7 Phase 1 Data Sheet

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 23 Table 8 Phase 2 Data Sheet

Table 9 Phase 3 Data sheet

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 24

Appendix C

Table 10 Processed Outdoors Data

Table 11 Processed 2013 Daily Outdoors

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 25 Table 12 2013 Day 3, Day 5 Study

AIR QUALITY IN GYM AND FTC OF ISB OVER TIME 26

Bibliography

Frank, E. (2006 June 20-21). The Chemical Composition of PM2.5 to support PM implementation.

Retrieved from www.epa.gov

Environmental protection UK. (n.d.). Particles [Web log post]. Retrieved from

www.environmental-protection.org.uk

Hazepm2.5. (2013 June 21). US PM2.5 Standards and Air Quality Index.jpg. Retrieved from

commons.wikimedia.org

World Health Organization. (2005). WHO Air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone,

nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide [pdf]. Retrieved from www.who.int/topics/air_pollution/en

World Health Organization. (2024 March). Ambient (outdoor) air quality and health. Retrieved

from www.who.int/mediacentre/

AirKorea. (2014). Learn Air Pollution. Pollutant Matter. Retrieved from www.airkorea.or.kr

Beijing Shunyi International School [map]. Retrieved from www.map.baidu.com

Monrow, G. (2014 January). ISB IAQ Review Jan 2014 [ppt].

Kin, S. (2002). Health Influence of Particulate Matter.