What specific indoor activity releases surprisingly high concentrations of PM2.5?
Answer
Frying or broiling food
While outdoor air quality standards receive significant regulatory focus, indoor air quality often presents a major, sometimes overlooked, exposure pathway for fine particulate matter. Among common indoor activities, cooking methods that generate high heat and aerosolize grease or oils are particularly potent sources of PM2.5. Specifically, activities such as frying or broiling food can release concentrations of PM2.5 that are surprisingly high, frequently exceeding the levels measured in the outdoor environment during certain daily routines. Other significant indoor contributors include tobacco smoke and emissions from unvented heating systems.
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