Indoor air quality in ice skating rinks in Hong Kong

Indoor air quality in ice skating rinks has become a public concern due to the use of propane- or gasoline-powered ice resurfacers and edgers. In this study, the indoor air quality in three ice rinks with different volumes and resurfacer power sources (propane and gasoline) was monitored during usual operating hours. The measurements included continuous recording of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5), particulate matter with diameter less than 10 μm (PM10), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The average CO, CO2, and TVOC concentrations ranged from 3190 to 6749 μg/m3, 851 to 1329 ppm, and 550 to 765 μg/m3, respectively. The average NO and NO2 concentrations ranged from 69 to 1006 μg/m3 and 58 to 242 μg/m3, respectively. The highest CO and TVOC levels were observed in the ice rink which a gasoline-fueled resurfacer was used. The highest NO and NO2 levels were recorded in the ice rink with propane-fueled ice resurfacers. The air quality parameters of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 were fully acceptable in these ice rinks according to HKIAQO standards. Overall, ice resurfacers with combustion engines cause indoor air pollution in ice rinks in Hong Kong. This conclusion is similar to those of previous studies in Europe and North America.