Ninth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

The concentration of airborne particle near a construction site has been a prime focus of the researchers. However, the data on nanosized particles are very limited, primarily due to lack of availability and cost involved. Nonetheless, nanosize particles are comparatively more harmful to humans. In this study, the focus has been on the concentration of nanosized particles at various distances from several active construction sites. Part of the investigation was also to estimate the effect of construction-related activities to humans who were not directly involved with the activities but in the vicinity. TSI NanoScan SMPS Model 3910 was used for our research. This instrument was able to count particles ranging from 10 nm to 400 nm size distributing them into thirteen different bin counters based on their sizes in a logarithmic scale. The measurements were taken at certain distances from the active spots, 5m, 10m, 15m and 30m. Three different sites were measured with different construction related activities; concrete work, demolition, woodwork. Uncontrolled parameters were temperature, humidity and wind speed and direction. For each site a control measurement was taken further away from the construction zone. Ten samples were taken for each measurement. Data ranged from statistically insignificant amount to an average of 2200 per cubic centimeter depending on the size of the nanoparticles and the location it was measured. With so many factors involved the validity of proposed model is subject to further investigations.