INDOOR OUTDOOR INTERACTIONS DURING AN AIR-POLLUTION EVENT IN CENTRAL LONDON

Measurement of a wide range of atmospheric contaminats was undertaken during a recent air pollution event in central London. Two neighbouring sites were used; one in a naturally ventilated office and one measuring outdoor air 5 m from the roadside. In the outoor environment pollutants were up to ten times higher than their long term average values. Several of the indoor parameters showed similar increases. However the volatile organic compounds measured indoors showed differing behaviour to the volatile organic compounds measured outdoors. It is suggested that fog, which was present throughout the week acted as a scavenger, preventing complete infiltration into the indoor environment.