Emission rates of air pollutants from portable gas ranges and nitrogen dioxide exposure assessment in restaurants

It is important to characterize the emission of air pollutants and suggest an optimum ventilation rate, because the use of portable gas ranges is widespread in houses and restaurants in Korea. Source emission tests were conducted to characterize the emissions of nitrogen oxide (NO x = NO + NO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), formaldehyde (HCHO) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) from portable gas ranges in steady-state using a well-mixed chamber. The ranges of emission rates of air pollutants from portable gas ranges were 0.55∼0.94 mg/h for NO, 0.35∼1.08 mg/h for NO 2 , 1.21∼1.63 mg/h for NO x 1.39∼4.21 mg/h for CO, 2430∼2970 mg/h for CO 2 and 0∼0.12 mg/h for TVOCs. The required mean and maximum ventilation rates to control the air pollutants from portable gas ranges was 2.70 m 3 /h and 3.13 m 3 /h on the basis of the NO 2 emission rate, respectively. The mean concentrations of food service worker and customer exposures to NO 2 by use of portable gas ranges in restaurants were 48.2±21.5 ppb and 64.7±31.5 ppb, respectively.