Determination of Indoor Air Quality in University Student Canteens

Abstract

The negative effects of indoor air quality cause a decrease in the working efficiency of people, and health problems. For this reason, monitoring the indoor air quality of the places where students spend time such as canteen, cafeteria and library is important in terms of quality of life. Particulate matter is the leading source of pollutants affecting indoor air quality. For this purpose, the indoor air quality of student canteens in a public university located in Marmara Region, Turkey was examined in terms of temperature, relative humidity, person density, area, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) parameters. The relative humidity in canteens was found to be within normal range in terms of comfort conditions, and the temperature was slightly higher depending on seasonal conditions and canteen conditions. According to the results of Spearman's correlation analysis applied, a statistically significant negative correlation between temperature and PM2.5 (r=-0.449) and PM10 ( r=-0.339) measurements, a positive correlation between humidity and PM2.5 (r=0.974) and PM10 (r=0.440) measurements, and a positive correlation between the number of people and PM2.5 (r=0.320) measurements (p<0.05), a positive correlation between PM2.5 (r=0.454) and PM10 were detected (p<0.01). It was determined that World Health Organization (WHO) limit values and air pollution regulation limit values were exceeded in canteens except E3 and A1 canteens. Due to the insufficient ventilation of the canteens, it was determined that particulate matter may pose a risk to the students and the employees of the canteen, and recommendations were made to improve the indoor air quality.