Comparative Indoor Air Quality Analysis Among the Schools of Roadside and Residential Areas of Dhanmondi

Abstract

The study aims at determining indoor air quality (IAQ) in selected schools of open and close structured types, located on roadside and residential area of Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Using appropriate instruments, different parameters of IAQ such as CO₂, PM2.5, PM10, HCHO, Temperature and Relative Humidity have been measured inside the classrooms. The study has further reviewed relevant standards to reveal the IAQ status of classrooms vis-à-vis permissible limits under international IAQ standards. Overall, IAQ of selected schools has been found inferior compared to international standards, though HCHO concentration has found well within the recommended limits. However, the concentrations of CO₂ have been measured much higher in the close structured school while open structured schools have shown better result within the acceptable limits. Lack of air circulation with ductless air conditioning systems could be attributed to higher concentration of CO₂ in close structured school. On the other hand, PM2.5 and PM10 have found more than the standard limits and significantly higher concentrations in roadside schools. Particulates from traffic, dust in summer season and industrial activity of Dhaka city result in higher concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 in all these four schools. The Study being the first of its kind in Bangladesh and taking into account that students spend major part of their time in a day in schools, recommends to use waters sprinkler to reduce dust and suspended particles in roads adjacent to the schools and keep provision for sufficient air circulation systems to improve indoor air quality in schools.