Air Quality in Fitness Centers The Impact of Ventilation Restrictions - A Case Study

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Cátia Peixoto
Klara Slezakova
Maria do Carmo Pereira
Simone Morais

Abstract

To stay healthy, people frequent sports facilities. This work aimed to evaluate air pollution and comfort parameters in a fitness club in the post lockdown period (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), focusing on particulate material (PM10, PM2.5) and gaseous pollutants (total volatile organic compounds -TVOCs, carbon dioxide - CO2, and carbon monoxide – CO). Sampling was carried out for 10 consecutive days in October 2020 in one fitness center (Oporto, Portugal). The results showed that indoor PM10 ranged from 1.4 to 122.5 µg/m3 and PM2.5 was between 0.8 and 25 µg/m3; the overall levels were in accordance with the current legislation. TVOC means were 0.39 mg/m3 when not occupied and 0.43 mg/m3 when exercising subjects were present, thus also fulfilling the limit 0.6 mg/m3). Average CO2 was 1400 mg/m3 with temporal maxima (2660-2894 mg/m3) exceeding the protection threshold. Finally, temperature and relative humidity exceeded the recommended comfort levels, especially during group activity classes.

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Author Biographies

Cátia Peixoto, REQUIMTE–LAQV, Polytechnic of Porto; LEPABE, University of Porto

REQUIMTE–LAQV

ISEP-School of Engineering

Polytechnic of Porto

R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida431

4200-072 PORTO

Portugal

 

LEPABE - Laboratory for Process, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy

Chemical Engineering Department

Faculty of Engineering

University of Porto

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias

4200-465 PORTO

Portugal

Klara Slezakova, LEPABE, University of Porto

LEPABE - Laboratory for Process, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy

Chemical Engineering Department

Faculty of Engineering

University of Porto

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias

4200-465 PORTO

Portugal

Maria do Carmo Pereira, LEPABE, University of Porto

LEPABE - Laboratory for Process, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy

Chemical Engineering Department

Faculty of Engineering

University of Porto

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias

4200-465 PORTO

Portugal

Simone Morais, REQUIMTE–LAQV, Polytechnic of Porto

REQUIMTE–LAQV

ISEP-School of Engineering

Polytechnic of Porto

R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida431

4200-072 PORTO

Portugal