Relationship between indoor and outdoor levels of PM2.5 and bioaerosols in daycare centers, Bangi

Mohd Yahya, Ainul Farhanah (2019) Relationship between indoor and outdoor levels of PM2.5 and bioaerosols in daycare centers, Bangi. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: Indoor air quality is becoming an emerging issue in public health due to increasing associations with respiratory health effects such as wheezing, allergy, and asthma especially in children. Particulate matter (PM) and bioaerosols are some of the indoor air pollutants that have shown association with the aforementioned respiratory problems. Daycare centers pose as an important environment of interest as children with immature immune systems and poor hygienic behavior are crowded together, there is an increased risk of disease transmission. Objectives: This research was done to study the indoor and outdoor relationship of IAQ (PM2.5, bacterial and fungal concentrations) in daycare centers in Bangi. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was conducted in three purposively selected daycare centers in Bangi, Selangor from January 2019 to March 2019. Meteorological parameters (temperature and relative humidity) and IAQ parameters (PM2.5, bacteria, and fungi) were recorded. Meteorological parameters were recorded using a Kestrel Meter 5500 Weather Meter (Kestrel, Pennsylvania, USA). IAQ parameter for PM2.5 was observed using SidePak Personal Aerosol Monitor AM520 (TSI Incorporated, Minnesota, USA) while a single stage Andersen impactor, DUO SAS SUPER 360 (International PBI, Milan, Italy) with two types of agar media; trypticase soy agar (TSA) and malt extract agar (MEA) were used for counting of bacteria and fungi respectfully. All parameters were monitored at both the indoor and outdoor environment of the daycare centers. A self-administered questionnaire taken from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was distributed to the parents to determine health symptoms experienced by the children. Statistical analysis was run using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 23. 1/0 ratio for IAQ parameters and the bioaerosol inhalation dose rate for children were also calculated. Results: Indoor bacterial concentrations in all daycare centers showed a higher level compared to outdoor levels, with the highest mean observed in Daycare I (1206 CFU-3 and 440 CFu-3 respectively). 1/0 ratios also support this as all the 1/0 ratios for IAQ parameters are more than >I, signifying that the source of pollution could originate from indoors. PM2.5 showed higher mean concentration outdoors compared to indoors (0.04 17µg/m3 and 0.0309µg/m3 respectively). Children in Daycare 3 have the highest inhalation dose rate of bioaerosols particles ( 4.62 x 104) while rhinitis showed a high prevalence (65.9%) among the studied population. Conclusion: This study found no association between indoor and outdoor parameters however meteorological parameters (temperature and relative humidity) was found to be correlated with PM2.5 and fungi concentration respectively. Keywords: indoor/outdoor ratio, PM2.5, bioaerosols, daycare centers, respiratory health symptoms

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	25 Feb 2025 04:41
Last Modified:	25 Feb 2025 04:41
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2332

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