Investigation of indoor air pollutants in different environmental settings and their health impact: a case study of Dehradun, India

Abstract

The air we breathe both indoors and in the external environment significantly affects human health and life. The legal systems across the globe, including the United Nations programs, have taken measures to protect the right to clean air as a basic human right. Urbanization and modern lifestyles have changed the dynamics of need and usage of products and allied activities. However, the scope of this study is focused on the investigation of indoor air quality (IAQ). This study is perhaps the first ever attempt to investigate the indoor air pollutant in different environmental setup based on building code specially for nonindustrial indoor environments, i.e., office buildings, public buildings (schools, hospitals, theatres, restaurants), and private dwellings in Dehradun, India. Air pollutants measured in this study include particulate matter (PM10), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and formaldehyde (HCHO). In order to identify the exposure level of indoor air pollutants on human health, chronic daily intake has been calculated. In residential building occupancies, the concentration of particulates is higher in indoor air, and the key sources are kitchen activities such as the operation of gas stoves for cooking. In educational buildings, signifcant pollutants present are CO2, formaldehyde, and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM), predominantly due to characteristic available ventilation systems. Compared to other indoor occupancies, institutional buildings related to health science have significant sources of indoor pollutants generated from biomedical waste, medical equipment, and instruments.