Ellen Harding-Smith

Biography

I'm an Environmental Science PhD student at the Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory (WACL) and the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York. I work with Professor Nicola Carslaw and Dr Terry Dillon investigating the impacts of cleaning product formulations on indoor air chemistry.

I previously completed my integrated masters at the University of York with a year in industry, where I worked as an analytical chemist at Syngenta. Aside from my studies, I enjoy long walks in the Yorkshire countryside, reading and travelling.

Qualifications

Masters in Chemistry, Resources and the Environment (MChem).

Memberships and Fellowships

Royal Society of Chemistry.

Research interests

Analytical chemistry and indoor air quality.

Project title

Investigating the impact of cleaning product formulations on indoor air chemistry.

Supervisors

Funding

EPSCRC.

Project outline

This project aims to investigate the impacts of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from cleaning activities on indoor air chemistry. The project involves using a combination of experimental and modelling techniques to investigate the concentrations of both primary and secondary pollutants that arise when cleaning in the indoor environment.

A suite of analytical instruments, including high resolution GC-MS and real-time SIFT-MS, are used to probe the chemical formulations of cleaning products and their emissions during typical use. The experimental results are used to drive a detailed indoor air chemical model to predict the indoor air chemistry following cleaning, and the production of secondary pollutants. This project aims to contribute towards a better understanding of the impacts of cleaning on the air quality of the indoor environment, where people are most exposed to air pollutants.