Avaliação das concentrações de BTEX em ambiente indoor: estudo de caso da sala de spinning de uma academia de ginástica Rio de Janeiro / RJ.

Abstract

In many gyms work-out activities take place in small enclosed rooms where the climate is controlled artificially. Normally, those rooms are full of students doing their workout and trainers helping them. Intense human transpiration requires a frequent floor and equipment cleaning routine. This routine, performed at short intervals can affect the indoor air quality. This study is aimed at showing varying concentration levels of the BTEX air pollutant at a gym in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, specifically the spinning room. To monitor the air quality, activated charcoal cartridges (SKC) were used, coupled to a KNF pump with a flow rate of 1l min. For the extraction of each sample, a gas chromatographic analysis machine model 6890 was used coupled to an Agilent mass spectrometer model 5973. We analyzed a total of 34 air samples collected in the spinning room during active aerobic classes; the increased respiration from the subjects allow for a greater inhalation of VOCs. In Contrast, five samples were also collected outdoors; four of them were paired indoor / outdoor for comparative analysis of these pollutants. Among the volatile organic compounds analyzed, toluene was the most abundant BTEX found in this study, representing 81% of indoor VOCs. In all the indoor / outdoor paired samples, the concentration was higher in the interior samples, with one exception, benzene on 3/12/2010. Simple changes that can easily be done by man, such as the installation of rubberized flooring, regular maintenance of the air acclimatization equipment, and general cleanliness can greatly affect the indoor air quality. The conclusion achieved after looking at the BTEX measurements was that the indoor air was more polluted than the air outdoors. This air quality monitoring is still scarce in Brazil. Some efforts have been made in relation to confined spaces such as Ordinance n˚ 3523 from the Ministry of Health, which regulates the air of air-conditioned environments and Resolution n˚ 9 of the National Agency for Sanitary Vigilance, as well as Resolution CONAMA n˚ 3 by setting standards for air quality for some chemical compounds, unfortunately many chemical compounds are not yet legislated or receive proper attention in this matter, therefore not giving this indoor air pollution matter enough grounds to address the complexity of the subject