Our Project
This project aimed to understand the effect of flooding on air quality in and around flooded areas in Brisbane. The results will be used to assess the impact of the flooding on indoor air quality and the effectiveness of cleaning procedures.
This project was financially supported by the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and Faculty of Science & Engineering. The assistance of Rachael Appleby is gratefully acknowledged. We also would like to express our gratitude to the owners and occupants of the houses for their help and assistance with this project.
Conclusions
- Average indoor PM10 concentration in affected houses was significantly higher than in not-affected houses.
- Average indoor PM10 concentrations were higher than outdoor concentrations.
- Average indoor PN concentration in affected houses was higher than in not-affected houses, but the difference was not significant.
- Average indoor fungi concentration in affected houses was significantly higher than in not-affected houses.
- Average indoor fungi concentrations were lower than outdoor concentrations.
- There was no significant difference in average indoor bacteria concentrations between the two groups.
- Average indoor bacteria concentrations were significantly higher than outdoor concentrations.
Our Team
- Lidia Morawska
- Congrong He
- Xuan Ling
- Heidi Salonen
- N Madapatha
- K Dona
- Hing-Cho Cheung,
- Leigh Crilley
- Megan Hargreaves
- Flavia Huygens
- Luke Knibbs
- Godwin Ayoko
Photo Gallery
Publications
He, C., Salonen, H., Ling, X., Crilley, L., Jayasundara, N., Cheung, H.C., Hargreaves, M., Huygens, F., Knibbs, L.D., Ayoko, G.A. and Morawska, L. The Impact of Flood and Post-Flood Cleaning on Airborne Microbiological and Particle Contamination in Residential Houses. Environment International, 69: 9-17, 2014.
Conference Papers
He, C., Crilley, L.R., Ling, X., Morawska, L., Knibbs, L.D., Ayoko, G.A. and Cheung, H.C. The Elemental Composition and Characteristics of Indoor Dust in Brisbane Homes after the 2011 Flood, 10th International Healthy Buildings 2012 Conference, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 9-12 July 2012.
He, C., Ling, X., Morawska, L., Salonen, H., Cheung, H.C. and Knibbs, L.D. Investigation of Indoor and Outdoor Particle Concentrations in Brisbane Houses after the 2011 Flood Disaster, 10th International Healthy Buildings 2012 Conference, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 9-12 July 2012.
Salonen, H., He, C., Ling, X., Jayasundara, N., Cheung, H.C., Huygens, F., Hargreaves, M. and Morawska, L. Exposure to airborne fungi and bacteria in Brisbane houses after the 2011 flood, 10th International Healthy Buildings 2012 Conference, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 9-12 July 2012.
View the air quality project-indoor-air-questionnaire
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