Indoor Air Quality in Public Health Centers: A Case Study of Public Health Centers Located on Main and Secondary Roadsides, Bangkok

Q3 Environmental Science

Environment and Natural Resources Journal Pub Date : 2022-07-12 DOI:10.32526/ennrj/20/202200078

Natlada Boonphikham, C. Singhakant, S. Kanchanasuta, W. Patthanaissaranukool, Tawach Prechthai

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引用次数: 1

Abstract

This cross-sectional study investigated the indoor air quality (IAQ) of public health centers (PHCs) and primary health care units in Bangkok to determine the impact of the different locations and ventilation systems concerning IAQ. Three indoor air pollutants: PM2.5, CO2, and CO were measured in three areas (medical record departments, outpatient departments and examination rooms) of six PHCs located in two different locations (main and secondary roadsides). The results showed that the average levels of PM2.5, CO2, and CO in the PHCs located on main roadsides were higher than those located on secondary roadsides. Among these parameters, only CO was found to significantly differ between those two locations indicating the result of vehicles and traffic sources regarding indoor CO level. Furthermore, all parameters were compared among the sampling areas with different ventilation systems; natural ventilation and air conditioner with and without ventilation fan. The amounts of all three pollutants significantly differed in each area with different ventilation systems. The average levels of PM2.5 and CO2 were the highest in areas with air conditioner without ventilation fan, while the level of CO was the highest in areas with natural ventilation. The ventilation was proved to be a key measure to improve IAQ. PHCs should consider ventilation efficacy to improve the IAQ by using ventilation fans in rooms using air conditioners. Finally, the average levels of all parameters were found below the recommended values in related standards, indicating safe IAQ for people working and receiving services in PHCs.

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公共卫生中心的室内空气质量：以曼谷主次干道公共卫生中心为例

这项横断面研究调查了曼谷公共卫生中心和初级卫生保健单位的室内空气质量，以确定不同地点和通风系统对室内空气质量的影响。在位于两个不同位置（主要和次要路边）的六个PHC的三个区域（病历室、门诊部和检查室）测量了三种室内空气污染物：PM2.5、CO2和CO。结果表明，主路边PHC的PM2.5、CO2和CO平均水平高于次路边PHC。在这些参数中，只有CO在这两个位置之间存在显著差异，这表明车辆和交通源对室内CO水平的影响。此外，在具有不同通风系统的采样区之间对所有参数进行了比较；自然通风和带或不带通风风扇的空调。在不同通风系统的每个地区，这三种污染物的含量都有显著差异。在没有通风风扇的空调区域，PM2.5和CO2的平均水平最高，而在自然通风的区域，CO的水平最高。通风被证明是改善室内空气质量的关键措施。PHC应考虑通风效果，通过在使用空调的房间中使用通风风扇来提高室内空气质量。最后，所有参数的平均水平都低于相关标准中的建议值，这表明在PHC工作和接受服务的人的室内空气质量是安全的。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Environment and Natural Resources Journal Environmental Science-Environmental Science (all)

CiteScore

1.90

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

8 weeks

期刊介绍： The Environment and Natural Resources Journal is a peer-reviewed journal, which provides insight scientific knowledge into the diverse dimensions of integrated environmental and natural resource management. The journal aims to provide a platform for exchange and distribution of the knowledge and cutting-edge research in the fields of environmental science and natural resource management to academicians, scientists and researchers. The journal accepts a varied array of manuscripts on all aspects of environmental science and natural resource management. The journal scope covers the integration of multidisciplinary sciences for prevention, control, treatment, environmental clean-up and restoration. The study of the existing or emerging problems of environment and natural resources in the region of Southeast Asia and the creation of novel knowledge and/or recommendations of mitigation measures for sustainable development policies are emphasized. The subject areas are diverse, but specific topics of interest include: -Biodiversity -Climate change -Detection and monitoring of polluted sources e.g., industry, mining -Disaster e.g., forest fire, flooding, earthquake, tsunami, or tidal wave -Ecological/Environmental modelling -Emerging contaminants/hazardous wastes investigation and remediation -Environmental dynamics e.g., coastal erosion, sea level rise -Environmental assessment tools, policy and management e.g., GIS, remote sensing, Environmental -Management System (EMS) -Environmental pollution and other novel solutions to pollution -Remediation technology of contaminated environments -Transboundary pollution -Waste and wastewater treatments and disposal technology