Indoor air quality (IAQ) investigation in primary schools at Hamirpur (India)

Department of Architecture, Department of Chemistry,

National Institute of Technology Hamirpur, Hamirpur-176 005, Himachal Pradesh, India

E-mail: venushree80@gmail.com

Manuscript received online 27 August 2019, revised 13 september 2019, accepted 16 September 2019

The poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can lead to low productivity, reduced learning ability, health hazards, lack of concentration etc. Occupant’s long exposure to poor IAQ can cause various health problems. If the building occupants repeatedly report a complex range of health complaints, then they might be suffering from sick building syndrome. The information about IAQ in schools in Hamirpur has not been investigated at any level in the past, though it is very important for children of 5–6 year age. This article summarizes the investigation of 8 naturally ventilated schools in Hamirpur city of Himachal Pradesh (India). The investigation had been performed for IAQ physical parameters i.e. carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂ ), particulate matter (PM_2.5), indoor temperature, humidity and wind rate. Higher indoor particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentration was found influenced by many design parameters of school building. Some recommendations are made to reduce the exposure of pollutants to the occupants.