Particulate matter concentration and health risk assessment for a residential building during COVID-19 pandemic in Abha, Saudi Arabia

Building and its environment are in focus owing to health impact attributed to indoor air quality. This study was carried out to assess indoor air quality in terms of particulate matter (PM) and carbon dioxide in a residential building, during COVD-19 pandemic lockdown from March 25 to April 23, 2020, Abha, Saudi Arabia. The PM concentration range for kitchen, bedroom, and hall were 40,000-81000 mu g/m(3) (PM0.3), 15,000-26000 mu g/m(3) (PM0.5), 4000-6000 mu g/m(3) (PM1), 1100-1500 mu g/m(3) (PM2.5), 160-247 mu g/m(3) (PM5), and 60-95 mu g/m(3) (PM10). The results of this study suggest that bedroom needs to be ventilated as CO2 concentration was reaching 700 ppm during sleep hours. PM concentration was exceeding 300 mu g/m(3) (unhealthy) for all particle sizes of PM0.3, PM0.5, PM1, and PM2.5 except for PM10 which was also above safe limits (0-50 mu g/m(3)). Also, with influential habit (aromatic smoke), these concentrations increased 2-28 times for PM. The hazard quotient value greater than 1 revealed potential health risk to the inhabitants. Hence, future studies are needed for developing indoor air quality guidelines for residential buildings in Saudi Arabia and better planning and management of energy consumption.

Automated summary

This study assessed indoor air quality in a residential building in Abha, Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 lockdown, finding the need for improved ventilation in the bedroom, excessive PM concentrations with potential health risks, and the importance of developing indoor air quality guidelines for residential buildings in Saudi Arabia.