Thomas (Tom) Warburton

Biography

I am a PhD student based at Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories (WACL), at the University of York. I research indoor air pollution, focusing on population exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), quantifying their concentrations, analysing emission patterns and estimating their sources.

Previously, I worked as a teacher of science in Bradford, UK after gaining my PGCE in secondary science, and later worked at University of Bradford as a STEM Outreach and Engagement officer, as well as leading and assisting with several foundation in chemistry modules.

Qualifications

Postgraduate certificate in Education (PGCE) in secondary science with Chemistry and Bachelors of Science (Hons) in Chemistry.

Research interests

Indoor air pollution, VOCs, ventilation, atmospheric chemistry, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and analytical chemistry.

Teaching interests

Chemistry.

Project title

Estimating sources and population exposure to VOC pollution indoors.

Supervisors

Professor Alastair Lewis

Funding

UK Research and Innovation.

Project outline

There are two main strands to my PhD research: VOC exposure in homes across the Bradford Metropolitan District, and assessing the impact of fragrance products on indoor air. Across both projects, indoor air is sampled using vacuum-intake six litre stainless-steel canisters internally coated with silicon-based treatment.

Samples are typically taken using a flow-restrictive inlet, which time-integrates samples over a 72-hour period. The whole air samples are then processed through gas chromatography (GC), with further analysis completed in tandem by mass spectrometry (MS). Further sample quantification is completed using a greenhouse gas analyser to quantify methane, water vapour and carbon dioxide fractions for each sample. All of this results in a deepening understanding of VOC concentrations indoors, emission characteristics, inter-VOC correlations and covariance, ultimately building an understanding and awareness of indoor VOC concentrations.

Presentations

The effect of ventilation on exposure to indoor VOCs in Bradford - EnvChem2023: Chemistry of the Whole Environment.