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

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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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the support from Dhaka Medical College and Hospitals (DMCH), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), and Sonargaon Upazila Hospitals authority for allowing us to conduct sampling in their premises.

Funding

No external financial support was taken for this study on top of the resources of the Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

    Shahid Uz Zaman, Md. Riad Sarkar Pavel, Farah Jeba & Abdus Salam

  2. Enam Medical College and Hospital, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Mahbuba Yesmin

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  1. Shahid Uz Zaman
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  2. Mahbuba Yesmin
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  3. Md. Riad Sarkar Pavel
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  4. Farah Jeba
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  5. Abdus Salam
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Contributions

Shahid Uz Zaman: Data collection and initial drafting of the manuscript

Mahbuba Yesmin: Conceptual idea, analyzing data, and editing of the manuscript

Md. Riad Sarkar Pavel: Data collection and initial drafting of the manuscript

Farah Jeba: Editing of the manuscript and data analysis

Abdus Salam: Conceptual idea and editing of the manuscript

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Correspondence to Abdus Salam.

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The authors declare no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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Highlights

• Indoor air quality (IAQ) indicators and toxicity potential were studied in the hospitals.

• Indoor PM2.5 levels exceeded the ambient WHO standard up to 10 times during winter.

• IAQ indicators have significant variations among different locations inside each hospital.

• Strong seasonal variations were observed in both indoor and outdoor environments.

• Toxicity potential values indicated ascetic health consequences on hospital occupants.

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Zaman, S.U., Yesmin, M., Pavel, M.R.S. et al. Indoor air quality indicators and toxicity potential at the hospitals’ environment in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 37727–37740 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13162-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13162-8

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