Ultrafine particle resuspension during vacuum cleaning in a household environment

Abstract

Vacuum cleaning is a very common activity in households, and can be a major source of indoor particulate matter generation. Ultrafine particles (UFPs) have been identified as causing more severe adverse health effects. These UFPs can be generated from a vacuum cleaner's motor, and resuspended from the floor during vacuum cleaning. Experiments were carried out in a residence to find out the emission rates of UFPs in terms of number concentration and surface area concentration. Three different scenarios of vacuum cleaning were investigated, including Normal Condition, Filter Removed, and Filter and Dust Bag Removed. The UFP emission rates in the Normal Condition scenario were found to be 1.39 ± 0.29 × 1010 particles/min in terms of number concentration, and 4.22 ± 3.78 × 1013 nm2/min in terms of surface area concentration, respectively. Filters and dust bags in the vacuum cleaners can both remove the UFPs effectively.