Evaluation of the impact of air pollutants on university indoor air quality: a case study

This study evaluates indoor air quality in university lecture halls, focusing on the impact of interior finishes on air pollutant levels. Key pollutants monitored included Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde (HCHO), a...

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Main Authors: Sherif Mohamed Sabry Elattar, Ibrahim Dosoki Abdullah, Amr Abbas Saleh Gebriel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Built Environment
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1552679/full
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author Sherif Mohamed Sabry Elattar
Ibrahim Dosoki Abdullah
Amr Abbas Saleh Gebriel
author_facet Sherif Mohamed Sabry Elattar
Ibrahim Dosoki Abdullah
Amr Abbas Saleh Gebriel
author_sort Sherif Mohamed Sabry Elattar
collection DOAJ
description This study evaluates indoor air quality in university lecture halls, focusing on the impact of interior finishes on air pollutant levels. Key pollutants monitored included Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde (HCHO), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), with sources identified as industrial emissions and traffic. Measurements were conducted in three distinct indoor environments at an Egyptian university during July 2024. Results showed that PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations remained within the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, whereas CO2 levels varied notably, with Lecture Hall 1 recording 713 ppm and Lecture Hall 2 reaching 1,071 ppm, indicating inadequate ventilation in the latter. Notably, NO2 and HCHO concentrations exceeded WHO recommended limits, with Lecture Hall 1 measuring 160 μg/m3 for NO2 and formaldehyde levels ranging between 430 μg/m3 and 1,380 μg/m3 across the halls. Based on these findings, we recommend that indoor air quality assessments follow the evaluation framework outlined in this study. Furthermore, we advocate for the enhancement of educational buildings through the implementation of design codes aimed at preserving and improving indoor air quality in lecture halls. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of raising awareness among students and faculty to foster healthier educational environments.
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spelling doaj-art-b45f0886fb844c32a5661a7b7c884ffe2025-08-20T03:09:23ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Built Environment2297-33622025-07-011110.3389/fbuil.2025.15526791552679Evaluation of the impact of air pollutants on university indoor air quality: a case studySherif Mohamed Sabry Elattar0Ibrahim Dosoki Abdullah1Amr Abbas Saleh Gebriel2Faculty of Engineering, Fayoum University, Giza, EgyptArchitecture Department, Faculty of Engineering, Fayoum University, Giza, EgyptArchitecture Department, Faculty of Engineering, Fayoum University, Giza, EgyptThis study evaluates indoor air quality in university lecture halls, focusing on the impact of interior finishes on air pollutant levels. Key pollutants monitored included Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde (HCHO), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), with sources identified as industrial emissions and traffic. Measurements were conducted in three distinct indoor environments at an Egyptian university during July 2024. Results showed that PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations remained within the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, whereas CO2 levels varied notably, with Lecture Hall 1 recording 713 ppm and Lecture Hall 2 reaching 1,071 ppm, indicating inadequate ventilation in the latter. Notably, NO2 and HCHO concentrations exceeded WHO recommended limits, with Lecture Hall 1 measuring 160 μg/m3 for NO2 and formaldehyde levels ranging between 430 μg/m3 and 1,380 μg/m3 across the halls. Based on these findings, we recommend that indoor air quality assessments follow the evaluation framework outlined in this study. Furthermore, we advocate for the enhancement of educational buildings through the implementation of design codes aimed at preserving and improving indoor air quality in lecture halls. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of raising awareness among students and faculty to foster healthier educational environments.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1552679/fullindoor air qualitystudent healthlecture hall assessmentglobal and local indexindoor air pollutantseducational environment
spellingShingle Sherif Mohamed Sabry Elattar
Ibrahim Dosoki Abdullah
Amr Abbas Saleh Gebriel
Evaluation of the impact of air pollutants on university indoor air quality: a case study
Frontiers in Built Environment
indoor air quality
student health
lecture hall assessment
global and local index
indoor air pollutants
educational environment
title Evaluation of the impact of air pollutants on university indoor air quality: a case study
title_full Evaluation of the impact of air pollutants on university indoor air quality: a case study
title_fullStr Evaluation of the impact of air pollutants on university indoor air quality: a case study
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of the impact of air pollutants on university indoor air quality: a case study
title_short Evaluation of the impact of air pollutants on university indoor air quality: a case study
title_sort evaluation of the impact of air pollutants on university indoor air quality a case study
topic indoor air quality
student health
lecture hall assessment
global and local index
indoor air pollutants
educational environment
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1552679/full
work_keys_str_mv AT sherifmohamedsabryelattar evaluationoftheimpactofairpollutantsonuniversityindoorairqualityacasestudy
AT ibrahimdosokiabdullah evaluationoftheimpactofairpollutantsonuniversityindoorairqualityacasestudy
AT amrabbassalehgebriel evaluationoftheimpactofairpollutantsonuniversityindoorairqualityacasestudy