Bioaerosols and the Indoor Air Quality of a University Library in Surat Thani Province
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Indoor air quality plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of individuals working within a building. This study presents a cross-sectional descriptive investigation aimed at evaluating indoor air quality and the presence of microorganisms, as well as exploring the correlation between microorganism levels and air quality within the library building of a university in Surat Thani Province, Thailand. The study included biological measurements of indoor air pollution, specifically total bacteria and fungi, alongside assessments of chemical factors (carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide) and thermal comfort (temperature and relative humidity). A selection of sampling sites was established, and measurements were conducted over four weeks, with two consecutive days of sampling each week. The collected data underwent analysis using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and correlation coefficients. The findings indicated that the levels of temperature, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, total bacteria, and fungi within the library building fell within the acceptable limits defined by the Department of Health guidelines. However, the relative humidity ranged from 47.3 to 82.3 percent, averaging 68.5±6.5 percent, which did not meet the recommended criteria of 50-65 percent. There were no significant correlations found between bioaerosols and temperature, relative humidity, CO2, and CO levels (p>0.01). Additionally, the microbiological assessment of the library services indicated a statistically significant difference in the levels of bacteria and fungi (p< 0.05). The indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratios for carbon dioxide and bacteria were 1.3 and 1.2 times, respectively, indicating an inadequacy in ventilation from the inside of the building to the outside. Therefore, it is imperative for the library to enhance ventilation to lower humidity, carbon dioxide, and bacterial counts, while also ensuring ongoing monitoring and maintenance of indoor air quality.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
บทความ ข้อมูล เนื้อหา รูปภาพ ฯลฯ ที่ได้รับการเผยแพร่ในวารสารวิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี มรย. นี้ ถือเป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของวารสารวิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี มรย. หากบุคคลหรือหน่วยงานใดต้องการนำทั้งหมดหรือส่วนหนึ่งส่วนใดไปเผยแพร่ต่อหรือกระทำการใดๆ จะต้องได้รับอนุญาตเป็นลายลักษณ์อักษรจากวารสารวิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี มรย. ก่อนเท่านั้น
References
Akanmu. W. P., Nunayon, S. S. & Eboson, U. C. (2021). Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) assessment of Nigerian university libraries: a pilot study. Energy and Built Environment, 2(3), 302-314
Department of health. (2016). Operational manual for assessing indoor air quality for officials. Nonthaburi: Ministry of Public Health Department of Health (in Thai)
Limmongkon, Y. Pruktharathikul, V. Jirapornkul, C. & Boonruksa, P. (2024). Assessing air quality in various Indoor environments of a university library. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 3(3), 3283-3292
Kanjanakrajang, A. & Chuaybamroong, P. (2017). Measurements of carbon dioxide to determine the ventilation effectiveness in the classroom. Thai Science and Technology Journal, 25(6), 960-967. (in Thai)
Noichaisin, L. & Pirsanupongkawitcha, S. (2019). Assessment of ventilation efficiency in library room Burapha University Sa Kaeo Campus. Burapha Science Journal, 24(3), 945-957. (in Thai)
Prasomwong, M., Ho, W., Boonchua, T., Kongcharoen, J. & Onmek, N. (2018). Indoor air quality in hotel buildings and sick building syndrome of hotel Staffs, Surat Thani Province. Science and Technology, Ubon Ratchathani University, 20(3), 64-73. (in Thai)
Promakotr, R. & Nathapindhu, G. (2019). Type and quantity of microorganisms contamination in the ambient air at municipal landfill site, Khon Kaen Province. KKU Research Journal (Graduate studies), 19(3), 166-177. (in Thai)
Saiyuth, P. Harnpicharnchai, K. & Wibuloutai, J. (2020). Quantity of bioaerosol and indoor air quality in hospital: case study of Nakornping hospital, Chiang Mai. The Office of Disease Prevention and Control 9th Nakhon Ratchasima Journal, 26(1), 14-24. (in Thai)
Sawatmongkhonkul, N. & Moorapun, C. (2015). Perception of interior air quality in public buildings. Veridian E-Journal, Slipakorn University, 8(2), 1583-1594. (in Thai)
Somjai, N., Luksamijarulkul, P. & Vattanasomboon, P. (2019). Microbial air quality, physical, and indoor environment in university libraries of Bangkok metropolitan region. Advanced Science Journal, 19(2), 68-84. (in Thai)
Tinochai, P., Tealek, M. & Kongpran, J. (2018). Indoor air quality in hospital: a case study for a community hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Journal of Health Science, 28(2), 325-333. (in Thai)
Yanpeng, W., Yuming, L. & Ding-Chin, C. (2018). Indoor air quality investigation of a university library based on field measurement and questionnaire survey. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, 13(2), 148–160.
Visitsartkul, P., Sreshthaputra, A. & Pinich, S. (2023). Impact of number of opening sides on air quality in semi-open space of community mall. Sarasatr, 6(1), 28-40. (in Thai)
Wijitwanna, S. (2022). Correlation in statistics: How to use. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 8(2), 1-15. (in Thai)
Wuthichotwanichgij, G., Thongchub, W. & Nongthed, N. (2023). Seasonal nature of indoor air quality of outpatient department in lower northern Thailand. Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention Journal, 7(2), 51-64. (in Thai)
