PARAMETER TO BE

CHECK FOR AIR QUALITY

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 INDOOR AIR QULITY PARAMETERS COVERED UNDER IAQ
TESING:
1. Carbon dioxide(CO2)
2.Carbon monoxide(CO)
3.Oxygen(O2)
4.Temperature
5. Nitrogen dioxide(NO2)
6.Ozone(O3)
7. Relative humidity(RH)
8. Formaldehyde(CH2O)
9. Ammonia(NH3)
10.Sulphur dioxide(SO2)
11.Hydrogen sulphide(H2S)
12.Particulates matter(PM2.5&PM10)
13.Total volatile organic compounds(VOCs)
14. Air quality index
 Air Quality Index
An air quality index (AQI) is a number used by
government agencies to communicate to the public
how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is
forecast to become. As the AQI increases, an
increasingly large percentage of the population is likely
to experience increasingly severe adverse health effects.
Different countries have their own air quality indices,
corresponding to different national air quality standards.
Some of these are the Air Quality Health Index (Canada),
the Air Pollution Index (Malaysia), and the Pollutant
Standards Index (Singapore).
• The National Air Quality Index (AQI) was launched
in New Delhi on 17 September 2014 under the Swachh
Bharat Abhiyan.

• There are six AQI categories, namely Good,

Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and
Severe. The proposed AQI will consider eight pollutants
(PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) for which
short-term (up to 24-hourly averaging period) National
Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.
 Air Quality Index


-0-25 Clean Air 26-50 Light Air Pollution

-51-75 Moderate Air Pollution 76-100 Heavy Air Pollution
->100 Severe Air Pollution
What is Particulate Matter?
 Particle pollution: 
also called particulate matter or PM, consists of solid and liquid particles made
up of ash, metals, soot, diesel exhaust, and chemicals. We divide particles into two
major groups based on size.

 PM10:
- The coarse particles are between 2.5 and 10 micrometers (from about 25 to 100
times thinner than a human hair).
-These particles cause less severe health effects mostly in the upper respiratory
tract.
-These consist of smoke, dirt and dust from factories, farming and roads as well as
mold, spores and pollen.
- They are made from crushing and grinding rocks and soil then blown by wind.

PM2.5 :

Particle pollution, also called particulate matter or PM, is a mixture of solids and liquid
droplets floating in the air . Some particles are released directly from a specific source, while
others form in complicated chemical reaction in atmosphere.


 The small particles are smaller than 2.5 micrometers (more than 100 times thinner than a
human hair). These particles are called PM2.5.These consist of toxic organic compounds and
heavy metals. They are made from automobile exhaust, burning garbage and landfill, smelting
and processing of metals.

Both PM2.5 and PM10 are measured in micro grams/cubic meter.
 Which of PM2.5 and PM10 is more harmful?

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 The smaller particles or PM2.5 are lighter and go deeper into the lungs
and cause greater damage longer term. They also stay in the air longer
and travel farther. PM10 (big) particles can stay in the air for minutes
or hours while PM2.5 (small) particles can stay in the air for days or
weeks. And travel? PM10 particles can travel as little as a hundred
yards or as much as 30 miles. PM2.5 particles go even farther; many
hundreds of miles.
 As a result, even though we measure both PM2.5 and PM10, we lay
much greater stress on PM2.5 which is the more harmful among the
two.
 Why Are PM2.5 Dangerous ?
 Since they are so small and light, fine particles tend to stay longer
in the air than heavier particles. This increases the chances of
humans and animals inhaling them into the bodies. Owing to
their minute size, particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers are able
to bypass the nose and throat and penetrate deep into the lungs
and some may even enter the circulatory system.
 Studies have found a close link between exposure to fine particles
and premature death from heart and lung disease. Fine particles
are also known to trigger or worsen chronic disease such as
asthma, heart attack, bronchitis and other respiratory problems.
 Cont…

 Scientists in the study estimated that for every 10 micrograms
per cubic meter (μg/m3) increase in fine particulate air pollution,
there is an associated 4%, 6% and 8% increased risk of all-
cause, cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality, respectively.
 How to Protect Yourself Against PM2.5
.
 Stay indoor and close all windows and openings that allow polluted air to
enter, when possible.
 Turn on an air purifier that is equipped with a HEPA filter. Only a
HEPA filter can effectively remove
fine particles from the air.
 Most air filters in air conditioners are not HEPA filters as the latter will
reduce air intake and would require the motor to work harder to push / pull
air through. But an air conditioner is still helpful when fresh air intake is
limited as it helps to circulate air and cool down (or warm up) room
temperature.
When most or all windows are closed, do not burn candle, incense or
operate devices that emit smoke or gas to prevent harmful particles and gas
(such as carbon monoxide) from building up.
 If you must go outdoor, make it short and quick, and wear a N95 or higher
face mask .
 Boost your body’s resistance against PM2.5 by increasing your intake of
these nutrients:
a. Fish Oil
b. Vitamin C&E
c. B Vitamins
AQI Associated Health Impact
Good (0–50) Minimal impact

Satisfactory (51–100) May cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.

 May cause breathing discomfort to people with lung disease such

Moderately polluted (101–200) as asthma, and discomfort to people with heart disease, children
and older adults.

May cause breathing discomfort to people on prolonged exposure,

Poor (201–300)
and discomfort to people with heart disease.

May cause respiratory illness to the people on prolonged exposure.

Very poor (301–400) Effect may be more pronounced in people with lung and heart
diseases.

May cause respiratory impact even on healthy people, and serious

Severe (401–500) health impacts on people with lung/heart disease. The health
impacts may be experienced even during light physical activity.
AQI
Category PM10 (24hr) PM2.5 (24hr) NO2 (24hr) O3 (8hr) CO (8hr) SO2 (24hr) NH3 (24hr) Pb (24hr)
(Range)

Good (0–50) 0–50 0–30 0–40 0–50 0–1.0 0–40 0–200 0–0.5

Satisfactory

51–100 31–60 41–80 51–100 1.1–2.0 41–80 201–400 0.5–1.0
(51–100)

Moderately
polluted 101–250 61–90 81–180 101–168 2.1–10 81–380 401–800 1.1–2.0
(101–200)

Poor (201–
251–350 91–120 181–280 169–208 10–17 381–800 801–1200 2.1–3.0
300)

Very poor
351–430 121–250 281–400 209–748 17–34 801–1600 1200–1800 3.1–3.5
(301–400)

Severe (401–
430+ 250+ 400+ 748+ 34+ 1600+ 1800+ 3.5+
500)
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THANK YOU
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