Assessment of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in Residential Staff Quarters of Covenant University, Nigeria

Abstract

Over the years, the quality of outdoor air has received more attention than indoor air quality because people generally assume that only ambient air is polluted. Studies have shown that humans spend 70-80% of their time indoors, ranging from workplaces to homes. Based on the findings of these studies, outdoor exposure measurement is insufficient to estimate the total exposure of humans to particulate matter, PM2.5 pollution. The increasing interest of researchers and international bodies in indoor air quality evidenced in the study of different indoor pollutants, placing PM at the forefront. The air quality in the residential staff quarters of Covenant University was examined by taking continuous measurements from the indoor environment for three (3) days using standard sampling and analytical methods Air Ae Steward, an air quality monitoring device. The concentrations of PM2.5 in eleven (11) residential apartments were determined. The results indicate substantial indoor levels of PM2.5 with the highest and least mean values of 91.0±5.0 and 34.0±4.0 μg/m3 respectively.PM2.5 indoor concentration was found to be higher than the World Health Organisation guideline value of 25 μg/m3.Considering that inhabitants of these facilities spend more time indoors, appropriate ventilation systems would reduce health related risksassociated with PM2.5.