Inhalable Particulate Matter Burden in Selected Day-Care Centres in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

The indoor air quality in day-care centres may influence the occurrence of infectious diseases and increase the risk of non-communicable diseases. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international agencies have considered particulate matter as an indicator of impact of air pollution on human health yet information on this from childcare centres is poorly documented in developing countries. This study therefore was designed to assess the particulate matter concentration (PM₁₀) in selected day-care centres (DCCs) in Ibadan, South western Nigeria. The study was descriptive cross sectional. PM 10 load was determined 3 days a week for 16 weeks spanning the late wet season and early dry season periods from 10 locations of the selected DCCs using a digital PM counter model Met one. The ratio of indoor/outdoor PM₁₀was computed. Results obtained throughout the monitoring period for all the locations were averaged and compared with WHO PM₁₀ guideline limit of 50µg/m³.Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at 5% level of significance. Mean indoor PM₁₀ readings for wet season (73.4 ± 54.4µg/m³) and dry season (296.3 ± 61.6µg/m³)significantly exceeded guideline limit (P<0.05).The indoor/outdoor PM₁₀ ratio was 1.38 ± 0.97 and being greater than 1 indicated a possible indoor source of pollution. High particulate matter concentration observed is indicative of the poor indoor air quality condition in the day care centres. Government policies on routine air quality monitoring and stringent enforcement of environmental sanitation in day care centres are advocated.