Indoor air quality in sports center: Assessment of gaseous pollutants

The aims of this study were to determine the concentrations of selected gaseous indoor air pollutants (CO2, VOC, NO2, SO2), evaluate the ventilation system efficiency, and identify the factors determining air quality in a typical Polish sports center. Measurements were conducted simultaneously inside and outside the building during the non-heating (05/18/2017–06/21/2017) and heating (10/16/2017–11/20/2017) seasons. CO2 concentrations were measured automatically (MultiRAE), while VOCs, NO2, and SO2 samples were collected by the passive method and determined using gas chromatography, spectrophotometry, and ion chromatography, respectively. The average concentrations of the tested pollutants, except for CO2 outside, were higher in the heating season. Average CO2 concentrations in both seasons were higher inside the building (761–815 ppm) than outside (521–525 ppm). The average VOC (129.4–193.3 μg/m3), NO2 (20.2–21.3 μg/m3), and SO2 (0.9–1.4 μg/m3) concentrations in both seasons were comparatively lower inside. CO2 concentrations were mainly related to physical activity and determined by the number of people exercising on a given day, while VOC, NO2, and SO2 concentrations were influenced mainly by outdoor sources (traffic emissions, combustion of fossil fuels). The presence of specific substances (e.g. propanol, ethanol derivatives) only in indoor air were influenced by specific indoor sources, such as cleaning activities, hall maintenance, and cosmetics. The results can be used to develop appropriate control strategies to improve indoor air quality in sports facilities and improve the safety of their users by minimize the adverse health effects due to exercise in conditions of poor air quality.