Concentration Pattern of PM2.5, PM10 and CO2 in a Departmental Lecture Classroom during Wet Season, at the University of Lagos
1 *Sotunbo, A. S, 1Adenuga, O. A., 1Soyingbe, A. A., 2Alani, R., 1Faremi, O. J. and 1Ashalejo, J. T.
1Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.
2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria
DOI: 10.36108/laujoces/6202.71.0113
Abstract
With the advancement in technology that is influencing the way we build and live, indoor air quality has become a significant issue for concern in the twenty-first century. Many elements, such as the kind of activities indoors, the ventilation situation and the activities outdoors, all have an impact on indoor air quality and the health of occupants. This study therefore aimed to assess the pattern of PM2.5, PM10 and CO2 in a departmental lecture classroom during wet season, in the University of Lagos. The study adopted a quantitative method of research, through a field study where air quality monitors were used to record air pollutants data both indoors and outdoors simultaneously. The recording of data for this location was carried out during the rainy season, in the month of May 2023, during the second semester of 2021/2022 academic session (this academic session extended to 2023 due to the disrupted academic activities by the 2022 ASUU strike action (February to October 2022)). The classroom is 100.28sqm and seats 50 students at full capacity. The readings were taken for five days. The result shows that the average indoor PM2.5, PM10 and CO2 for the studied classroom were 12 μg/m3, 20 μg/m3 and 673 ppm while the average outdoor PM2.5, PM10 and CO2 were 12 μg/m3, 15 μg/m3, and 472ppm respectively for the studied classroom. The study concluded that at peak periods, the level of indoor PM2.5 could become unsafe, especially for people with health conditions such as asthma. Therefore, it is recommended that the air conditioners in the classroom must be maintained and kept at functional conditions constantly to prevent the concentration of the contaminants from peaking which could lead to sudden asthma attacks in the classroom especially during lectures.
Keywords: Air pollutants, Buildings, Classroom, Concentration pattern, Indoor air quality, Particulate matters