IMPACT OF PM2.5 ON BUILDING HYGIENE, A CASE STUDY OF CHANTHABURI NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to analyze the concentration and compare the average of PM2.5 in the open system room, closed system room and outside the building at the National Archives building, Chanthaburi. It is a cross-sectional study research and purposive air sampling, including 3 groups, open air room, closed or air-condition room and outside the building at the entrance. Each group was sampling 3 points, each point measured 1 hour average for a total of 8 hours per point for a total of 72 samples, with the DUSTTRAK DRX Aerosol Monitor. The data were compared with the Indoor Air Quality Standards recommended by the Department of Health. The statistics used for data analysis were mean ( ), standard deviation (S.D.), F-test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test. The results showed that the concentration of PM2.5 was in the range of 28 - 82 µg/m³ and averaged in the range of 28.4 - 73.5 µg/m³. The room that PM2.5 was higher than the standard are the Document Valuation and Assessment Room, Film Valuation and Assessment Room, Archives Office Room (Administration Room) and Document Center Room. The average of PM2.5 in open air room group was significantly higher than the closed room group (p < .05). The average of PM2.5 in open air room group was not significantly different from those outside the building (p > .05). The average of PM2.5 in closed room group was significantly lower than the outside the building (p < .05). Suggestions for improvement according to the sanitary principles to be hygienic by closing doors, windows, gaps or leaks. It is a simple and low-cost method of improving building hygiene, suitable for residential and public buildings for good hygiene and safety for residents.