Single-Particle Analysis in an Indoor Working Environment in Valencia, Spain

Abstract

Actually is recognized the importance of indoor air environment and associated health risks. In order to evaluate i n- door air quality and to characterize the particles in terms of size, composition and shape were done measurements of the suspended particulate matter in a mechanical workshop of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain). These meas-urements were performed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) and image digital analysis. To differentiation of individual particles in the fine- ultrafine fraction, in some case, was used the atomic force microscopy (AFM). Multivariate statistics, such as hierarchical cluster analysis and factor analy-sis were appliqued and allowed to establish groups of elements and in this way to facilitate the identification of the natural and anthropogenic sources. It is confirmed that indoor air is influenced by outdoor surroundings and the anthro-pogenic sources due to the daily activity.