TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL ASSESSMENT OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ) ON PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Abstract

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is very important for children’s health and well-being since children are particularly vulnerable and sensitive to the presence of air pollutants. Poor Indoor Air Quality brings negative health effects to young children, especially primary school students. The objective of this research was to analyze the chemical and physical parameters inside the classroom at two sites representing institutional and residential area. Spatial mapping was conducted by using Surfer® and Sketchup®. Data were measured using Dust TraxDRX Aerosol 8454, Kanomax IAQ, and TSI IAQ 9545 for three days from 0700 hours to 1400 hours. This research analyzed the chemical and physical parameters inside the classroom, such as particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10), carbon dioxide (CO2), air temperature, air movement and relative humidity. Results show that the concentration of carbon dioxide (635.5 ppm – 756 ppm) and (723 ppm - 806.5 ppm) for institutional and residential areas are within the limits. The concentration of PM10 was (0.039 mg/m3 – 0.129 mg/m3) and (0.061 mg/m3 – 0.109 mg/m3), relative humidity (76.15% - 88.6%) and (60.9% - 86.75%), air movement (0.08 m/s – 0.82 m/s) and (0.08 m/s – 0.88 m/s) and temperature (27.25˚C – 30.8˚C) and (26.75˚C – 31.0˚C) for institutional and residential area respectively, did not comply with the (ICOP-IAQ 2010) standard. Spatial analysis shows the critical points were at the teacher’s desk, the middle section of the classroom and at the back of the classroom. The critical point was observed in the middle section of the class, as most of the students resided at the back of the classroom where there was furniture that contained particulates.