Field and laboratory investigation of ozone-indoor surface reactions: Secondary emissions inventory and implications for indoor air quality

Interfacial chemistry greatly influences human exposure to reactants and products in indoor environments. Emissions of volatile organic compounds, as a result of ozone-surface interactions, can lower an occupant's exposure to ozone, but increase indoor concentrations of odorous and carcinogenic compounds. Therefore, investigation of ozone-surface interactions are necessary for better understanding and controlling exposure to ozone and the products of indoor surface chemistry.; In this dissertation, field experiments were conducted in five homes in three seasons to quantify ozone-initiated secondary emission rates (SERs), yields, surface reaction probabilities and study their temporal trends. Laboratory experiments were conducted to quantify the ozone reaction probabilities, SERs and yields of aldehydes from the interactions of ozone with three categories of consumer products.; This research shows that aldehydes, especially nonanal, were emitted as products of ozone-surface reactions from most surfaces. Carpet in newer homes had higher SERs than carpet in older homes. However, the countertops remained consistently reactive with ozone due to occupant activities. The total yields of aldehydes were in good agreement between two summers. However, there was a significant decrease in the total aldehyde yield from summer to winter. There were no significant temporal trends in reaction probabilities for any surfaces over the entire 1.5 year period, indicating that it may take significantly longer than this period for surfaces to exhibit any "ozone aging" effects. Exposure to ozone, ten consumer products generated secondary emissions of aldehydes, with nonanal as the most prominent compound. Unsaturated fatty acid esters are likely responsible for high SERs of aldehydes from oils and soaps.