Indoor particulate matter (PM2.5) and comfort parameters in a university building

Intan Idura Mohamad Isa

Abstract

This study aims to determine the particulate matter (PM2.5) mass concentrations and the comfort parameters (total bacterialm counts (TBC), total fungal counts (TFC), relative humidity and temperature) in a university building. The samplings were carried out in three different indoor areas, including lecture hall, laboratory and lecturer office. PM2.5 samples were collected over a period of 8 h sampling using a low volume sampler (LVS). The anemometer Model Kestrel 0855YEL was used to measure relative humidity and temperature parameters. The sampling of airborne microorganisms was conducted by using microbial sampler at 350 L air sampled volume. The results showed that the highest average of PM2.5 was at lecture hall (88.54 ± 26.21 μgm-3) followed by lecturer office (69.79 ± 19.06 μgm-3) and laboratory (47.92 ± 24.88 μgm-3). The mean of TBC and TFC readings recorded as follow; 32.71 ± 5.91 cfu m-3 and 76.71 ± 21.5 cfu m-3 for laboratory, 112.1 ± 29.06 cfu m-3 and 124.67 ± 23.35 cfu m-3 for lecturer office, 121.74 ± 19.33 cfu m-3 and 115.33 ± 8.08 cfu m-3 for lecture hall. The average of all comfort parameter was within the prescribed standard by Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 for all sampling sites. Therefore, all occupants of the building can work in a conducive and comfortable environment. This study is in line with the objectives of National Policy on the Environment (DASN), which focusing on achieving a clean, safe, healthy and productive environment for present and future generations.

References

Ashmore, M. R., & Dimitroulopoulou, C. (2009). Personal exposure of children to air pollution. Atmospheric Environment, 43(1), 128–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.09.024

Cao, J., Yang, C., Li, J., Chen, R., Chen, B., Gu, D., & Kan, H. (2011). Association between long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution and mortality in China: A cohort study. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 186(2–3), 1594–1600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.12.036

Chen, A., & Chang, V. W. (2012). Human health and thermal comfort of of fi ce workers in Singapore. Building and Environment, 58, 172–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2012.07.004

Chen, P., Bi, X., Zhang, J., Wu, J., & Feng, Y. (2015). Assessment of heavy metal pollution characteristics and human health risk of exposure to ambient PM2.5 in Tianjin, China. Particuology, 20, 104–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2014.04.020

Chithra, V. S., & Shiva Nagendra, S. M. (2012). Indoor air quality investigations in a naturally ventilated school building located close to an urban roadway in Chennai, India. Building and Environment, 54, 159–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2012.01.016

DOSH. 2010. Industry Code of Practise on Indoor Air Quality. Ministry of Human Resources Department of Occupational Safety and Health, 1-50

Huang, W., Cao, J., Tao, Y., Dai, L., Lu, S. E., Hou, B., … Zhu, T. (2012). Seasonal variation of chemical species associated with short-term mortality effects of PM 2.5 in Xi’an, a central city in China. American Journal of Epidemiology, 175(6), 556–566. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwr342

Mazlan1, S. M., Hamzah2, A., Mahmud, M., Pengajian, 1Pusat, Pembangunan, S., Persekitaran, D., … Mazlan, S. M. (2015). Kualiti udara dalam bangunan di bangunan Sains Biologi, Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Society and Space 11, 1(1), 87–96.

Mohai, P., Kweon, B. S., Lee, S., & Ard, K. (2011). Air pollution around schools is linked to poorer student health and academic performance. Health Affairs, 30(5), 852–862. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0077

Mohamad, N., Latif, M. T., & Khan, M. F. (2016). Source apportionment and health risk assessment of PM10 in a naturally ventilated school in a tropical environment. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 124, 351–362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.11.002

Nur Fadilah, & Juliana, J. (2012). Indoor Air Quality ( IAQ ) and Sick Buildings Syndrome ( SBS ) among Office Workers in New and Old Building in Universiti. Health and the Environment Journal, 3(2).

Raysoni, A. U., Stock, T. H., Sarnat, J. A., Montoya Sosa, T., Ebelt Sarnat, S., Holguin, F., Li, W. W. (2013). Characterization of traffic-related air pollutant metrics at four schools in El Paso, Texas, USA: Implications for exposure assessment and siting schools in urban areas. Atmospheric Environment, 80, 140–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.07.056

Sulaiman, F. R., Bakri, N. I. F., Nazmi, N., & Latif, M. T. (2017). Assessment of heavy metals in indoor dust of a university in a tropical environment. Environmental Forensics, 18(1), 74–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/15275922.2016.1263903

Zhong, J. N. M., Latif, M. T., Mohamad, N., Wahid, N. B. A., Dominick, D., & Juahir, H. (2014). Source Apportionment of Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) and Indoor Dust in a University Building. Environmental Forensics, 15(1), 8–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/15275922.2013.872712