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. 2021 Jul;28(28):37727-37740.
doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-13162-8. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Indoor air quality indicators and toxicity potential at the hospitals' environment in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Shahid Uz Zaman  1 , Mahbuba Yesmin  2 , Md Riad Sarkar Pavel  1 , Farah Jeba  1 , Abdus Salam  3
Affiliations

Indoor air quality indicators and toxicity potential at the hospitals' environment in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Shahid Uz Zaman et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a leading apprehension currently especially in the perilous atmosphere, like hospitals. Clean and fresh air is very crucial for the patients and healthcare professionals in the hospitals. Therefore, we examined IAQ indicators (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, CO2, and TVOC) at sixteen locations of three hospitals with an emphasis on seasonal variations, indoor/outdoor correlation, and concomitant toxicity potential (TP) of human exposure between October 2019 and January 2020. For the measurement of trace gases (NO2, CO2, and TVOC), Aeroqual 500 series (New Zealand) sampler was used; particulate matter (PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10) concentrations and relative humidity (RH) were measured using the IGERESS air quality monitoring device (WP6930S, China). The total average concentration of IAQ indicators were 104.1 ± 67.6 (PM1.0), 137.4 ± 89.2 (PM2.5), and 159.0 ± 103.3 (PM10) μgm-3; 0.11 ± 0.02 (NO2), 1047.1 ± 234.2 (CO2), and 176.5 ± 117.7 (TVOC) ppm. Significant variations of IAQ indicators were observed between different locations of the hospitals. Winter IAQ indicators were much higher than post-monsoon season. Indoor particulate matter (PM) levels were lower than outdoor, but gaseous pollutants were higher in indoor than outdoor except NO2. Indoor TVOC was about two times higher than outdoor and also higher in post-monsoon than winter. A good positive correlation was observed between indoor and outdoor particulate matter during winter. A strong positive correlation was obtained between NO2 and RH with PM in winter. Very high (> 10) indoor toxicity potential (TP) values of PM2.5 and PM10 were determined during winter. Extremely high TP values indicated potential severe health consequences of the healthcare professionals and patients in indoor hospitals' environment.

Keywords: Hospital environment; I/O ratio; Indoor air quality; Seasonal variation; Toxicity potential.

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