Size-resolved particulate matter inside selected fire stations and preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of washing machines in reducing its concentrations

Abstract The study aimed to determine and compare the mass concentration and size distribution of particulate matter (PM) at two Polish fire stations, one equipped with a washing machine intended for the decontamination of uniforms (FSN) and the other not equipped with this type of device (FSC), to assess the effectiveness of washing machines in reducing PM concentrations inside fire stations and estimate PM doses inhaled by firefighters while performing activities in truck bays and changing rooms during one work shift. The average PM concentrations at the FSN were 18.2–28.9 µg/m3 and 27.5–37.3 µg/m3, while at FSC they were 27.4–37.9 µg/m3 and 24.6–32.8 µg/m3 in the truck bays and changing rooms, respectively. At each measurement point, most of the PM mass (65–75%) was accumulated as fine particles. The dominance of fine particles in the total mass of PM results in high values of PM deposition coefficients (0.59–0.61) in three sections of the respiratory tract at each monitoring site. This study initially indicates the effectiveness of washing machines in reducing the concentration of fine particles and demonstrates the necessity, as well as directions for further research in this area.