CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE · Vol. 2021

Effects of combustion generated pollutants on the indoor air quality of university laboratories

Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu Nkeleme, Ikem Mbammali and Winston Shakantu

Keywords: combustion generated pollutant, indoor air quality, sustainability

Abstract

Health threats in a learning environment can jeopardize the entire effort of teaching and learning. One of such health threats is the presence of hazardous gaseous elements within the building interior due to learning processes such as combustion activities, especially in laboratories or from the external environment. This paper assessed the perception of laboratory users on the effect of combustion generated pollutants on the indoor air quality of a typical university laboratory using some selected laboratories in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria as a case study. A well-structured questionnaire was designed and administered to a hundred and twenty-seven laboratory users randomly selected. Data collected were analyzed using a computer-based software SPSS version 16.0. The results revealed among others that combustion processes in laboratories is a major contributor to poor indoor air quality compared with other learning processes; fatigue (RII: 0.81) was identified as the most prominent symptom of poor indoor air quality during combustion among other symptoms like; coughing and sneezing; dryness and irritation of eyes and throat; sinus congestion; shortness of breath and headache, arranged in the order of intensity. The absence of functional fume hoods, congestion in laboratories and inadequate ventilation system intensify the discomforting effect of combustion generated pollutants in laboratories. Hence, provision, where there are none and adequate maintenance of fume hoods for functionality, is recommended. Consequently, the construction of new laboratories to accommodate the students enrolled to avoid congestion in the laboratories is highly recommended.