Chemistry Weekly Seminar- Pedro De Franca Souza, PhD Student

Title

The air within – how oxidants affect the air we breathe indoors

Abstract

We spend most of our time indoors, making indoor air quality crucial for our health and well-being. However, indoor air composition can be dramatically oxidation reactions. My research focuses on studying oxidants in indoor environments, aiming to fill critical gaps in our understanding of oxidant behavior in various indoor settings, including vehicle cabins, homes during cleaning, and environments using far-UV-based disinfection technologies. In vehicle cabins, levels of oxidants, namely ozone and hydroxyl radicals (OH), depend on ventilation modes and the amount of sunlight entering the cabin. In residential spaces, cleaning with hydrogen peroxide leads to a temporary spike in oxidant levels, which can be influenced by different factors, such as ventilation and the types of surfaces cleaned. The use of far-UV lamps in combination with bleach cleaning can trigger unprecedented photochemical reactions indoors, producing high concentrations of radicals, such as OH and chlorine. Through these investigations, my research aims to enhance our knowledge of how oxidants shape indoor air chemistry, providing a clearer understanding of their behavior in various environments and the potential health implications for occupants. By advancing knowledge in this field, we can contribute to better air quality management and health protection indoors.