Indoor air quality and respiratory symptoms developed amongst students at selected schools in Kuala Selangor district, Selangor / Nurul Fhatihah Jusoh @ Yusof

A comparative cross sectional study on selected pollutant concentration level of PM10 and CO₂, and physical air quality parameters such as ambient temperature and relative humidity between 2 different schools that have different physical activities surround the area in Kuala Selangor District, Selangor. The level of CO₂ concentration and physical air quality parameters (ambient temperature and relative humidity) have been measured using BWGasMicroSDetector for outdoor and Q-Trak for indoor environments. For PM10, Dust Trak II have been used both for indoor and outdoor environments. Walkthrough assessments have been held before conducting the study in order to determine suitable sampling points and details of selected schools. The different concentration and correlation of air pollutants, respiratory symptoms developed were analyzed using SPSS for statistical analysis. The acceptable limit of physical and chemical air parameters was based on Malaysian Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality by Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). Result showed that, the mean concentrations of temperature in both schools were exceeding the standard limits, whereas for relative humidity, the mean concentration for both schools complying with the standard. For indoor air pollutants concentration measurements, only PM10 level in SK ljok is exceeding the standard limit given. There is significant different of PM10 between SK ljok and SK Puncak Alam 3. In addition, SK ljok has fair correlation of CO₂ and PM10 concentration between indoor and outdoor environments. There is a significant different in respiratory symptoms developed amongst students between two schools. As conclusion, there are a few parameters exceeding the standard limits in the schools. Students at SK ljok is most susceptible to develop respiratory symptoms since the schools is located too near with the road and have small medium industry nearby.