PARTICULATE RESUSPENSION DURING THE USE OF VACUUM CLEANERS ON OFFICE CARPETS IN UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA TERENGGANU

Authors

  • SYAFIQAH ASYIQIN ROHADI Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology and Informatics, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
  • IZAN JAAFAR Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
  • ISMANIZA ISMAIL Faculty of Applied Sciences,Universiti Teknologi MARA
  • TENGKU AZMINA IBRAHIM Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology and Informatics, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46754/umtjur.v2i2.145

Keywords:

Particulate matter, particle resuspension, vacuum cleaners, PM2.5, PM10

Abstract

The household activities such as vacuuming may elevate the concentration of
particulate matter in indoor environments. Cleaning workers and occupants inside closed room may be exposed to the fine particulate matter and at risk of developing numerous respiratory symptoms. This study aims to determine the concentration of the particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) that might arise during vacuuming activities and estimated the surface compartmental residence time of particulate matter in indoor environment after each vacuuming activities. The PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations throughout vacuuming were measured in forty-seven offices in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu using the TSI Dust Track DRX. Based on the concentrations measured, the surface compartmental residence time was then estimated using standardized equations taken from literature. The result shows that highest particulate matter concentration was nearly eleven times higher than the World Health Organization guidelines of 25 μg/m3 for PM2.5 concentration (PM2.5 was 270μg/m3, PM10 was 421 μg/m3), while the particulate matter were estimated to remain lingers inside the air for around 1-4 days before being deposited on the surface. In conclusion, the usage of vacuum cleaners may contribute to more particulate matter being released inside the air due to the resuspension phenomenon. Therefore, it is important for the occupants to maintain proper ventilation after each vacuuming activities took place.

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Additional Files

Published

2022-07-03

How to Cite

ROHADI, S. A. ., JAAFAR, I. ., ISMAIL, I., & IBRAHIM, T. A. . (2022). PARTICULATE RESUSPENSION DURING THE USE OF VACUUM CLEANERS ON OFFICE CARPETS IN UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA TERENGGANU. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2(2), 41–48. https://doi.org/10.46754/umtjur.v2i2.145