Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Abstract Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical public health concern, especially in sports facilities where high occupancy and physical activity increase exposure risks. This study assessed IAQ in a Chicago sports center using low-cost Air Quality Egg sensors, deployed in the basketball courts, rock-climbing area, and weight room from 14 March to 2 April 2024, followed by a colocation test to ensure sensor consistency. Results showed PM 2.5 concentrations across all locations remained below the World Health Organization’s 24-h guideline of 15 µg m −3 but demonstrated distinct diurnal patterns associated with occupancy levels. Indoor PM 2.5 was positively associated with CO 2 and relative humidity (RH), while temperature effects varied by location. Multiple regression models using CO 2 , RH, and temperature explained 34% of PM 2.5 variability, with CO 2 being the strongest predictor. Infiltration analysis showed weak correlations ( R 2 = 0.04) between indoor and outdoor PM 2.5 , indicating that indoor sources were dominant and the building was relatively well sealed. The estimated infiltration coefficients ranged from 0.07 to 0.12, and indoor-generated PM 2.5 levels (1.11–1.66 µg m⁻ 3 ) were relatively lower than those reported in similar buildings. Among the three locations, the weight room recorded the highest levels of PM 2.5 , CO 2 , and RH during both peak and evening hours, despite having the highest air exchange rate based on CO 2 decay analysis. The findings suggest that enhanced ventilation may still be needed to improve IAQ in the weight room. This study demonstrates the utility of low-cost sensors in capturing spatial and temporal IAQ variability. The results emphasize the importance of aligning ventilation strategies with space usage in recreational environments. Graphical Abstract
Schmidt et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: