Open AccessIndoor Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Comfort Parameters in a University Building
Author(s) -
Nurul Bahiyah Abd Wahid,
Intan Idura Mohamad Isa,
Ahmad Khairuddin Hassan,
Muhammad Izzat Iman Razali,
Ahmad Haziq Hasrizal,
Muhammad Firdaus Muzamil,
Mohammad Soef Hazmie
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of science and mathematics letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2600-8718
pISSN - 2462-2052
DOI - 10.37134/jsml.vol8.2.8.2020
Subject(s) - particulates , environmental science , relative humidity , indoor air quality , indoor air , sampling (signal processing) , air quality index , humidity , volume (thermodynamics) , meteorology , environmental engineering , atmospheric sciences , toxicology , geography , engineering , biology , ecology , physics , telecommunications , quantum mechanics , detector
This study aims to determine the particulate matter (PM2.5) mass concentrations and the comfort parameters (total bacterial counts (TBC), total fungal counts (TFC), relative humidity and temperature) in a university building. The samplings were carried out in three different indoor areas, including lecture hall, laboratory and lecturer office. PM2.5 samples were collected over a period of 8 h sampling using a low volume sampler (LVS). The anemometer Model Kestrel 0855YEL was used to measure relative humidity and temperature parameters. The sampling of airborne microorganisms was conducted by using microbial sampler at 350 L air sampled volume. The results showed that the highest average of PM2.5 was at lecture hall (88.54 ± 26.21 µgm-3) followed by lecturer office (69.79 ± 19.06 µgm-3) and laboratory (47.92 ± 24.88 µgm-3). The mean of TBC and TFC readings recorded as follow; 32.71 ± 5.91 cfu m-3 and 76.71 ± 21.5 cfu m-3 for laboratory, 112.1 ± 29.06 cfu m-3 and 124.67 ± 23.35 cfu m-3 for lecturer office, 121.74 ± 19.33 cfu m-3 and 115.33 ± 8.08 cfu m-3 for lecture hall. The average of all comfort parameter was within the prescribed standard by Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 for all sampling sites. Therefore, all occupants of the building can work in a conducive and comfortable environment. This study is in line with the objectives of National Policy on the Environment (DASN), which focusing on achieving a clean, safe, healthy and productive environment for present and future generations.