Assessing volatile organic compound level in selected workplaces of Kathmandu Valley
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of the major contributors to poor indoor air quality. Due to advancements in sensor technologies, continuous if not regular monitoring total VOC (TVOC) and or some specific VOC in potential high risk workplaces is possible even in resource limited settings....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021023653 |
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| author | Madhav Kharel Surendra Chalise Baburam Chalise Khaga Raj Sharma Deepak Gyawali Hari Paudyal Bhanu Bhakta Neupane |
| author_facet | Madhav Kharel Surendra Chalise Baburam Chalise Khaga Raj Sharma Deepak Gyawali Hari Paudyal Bhanu Bhakta Neupane |
| author_sort | Madhav Kharel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of the major contributors to poor indoor air quality. Due to advancements in sensor technologies, continuous if not regular monitoring total VOC (TVOC) and or some specific VOC in potential high risk workplaces is possible even in resource limited settings. In this study, we implemented a portable VOC sensor to measure concentration of TVOC and formaldehyde (HCHO) in six types of potential high risk workplaces (n = 56 sites) of Katmandu Valley. For comparison, concentration was also measured in immediate surroundings (n = 56) of all the sites. To get preliminary information on safety practices, a survey study was also conducted. The mean TVOC and HCHO concentration in the sites ranged from 1.5‒8 mg/m3 and <0.01–5.5 mg/m3, respectively. The indoor: outdoor TVOC and HCHO ratio (I/O) was found to be significantly higher (I/O > 1.5 and p < 0.05) in 34 (~61%) and 47 sites (∼84%), respectively. A strong positive correlation between HCHO and TVOC concentration was observed in furniture industry (R = 0.91) and metal workshops (R = 0.98). Interestingly, we found TVOC and HCHO concentration higher than WHO safe limit in ∼64% and ∼32% sites, respectively. A rough estimate of chronic daily intake (CDI) of formaldehyde showed that CDI is higher than WHO limit in four sites. These findings suggested that indoor air quality in the significant number of the workplaces is poor and possible measures should be taken to minimize the exposure. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T21:59:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-22fd282cc6454cd29f576d68f6c5580a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T21:59:47Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj.art-22fd282cc6454cd29f576d68f6c5580a2022-12-21T20:50:19ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402021-11-01711e08262Assessing volatile organic compound level in selected workplaces of Kathmandu ValleyMadhav Kharel0Surendra Chalise1Baburam Chalise2Khaga Raj Sharma3Deepak Gyawali4Hari Paudyal5Bhanu Bhakta Neupane6Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, NepalCentral Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, NepalCentral Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, NepalCentral Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, NepalCentral Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal; Ministry of Forests and Environment, Department of Environment, Government of Nepal, NepalCentral Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, NepalCentral Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal; Corresponding author.Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of the major contributors to poor indoor air quality. Due to advancements in sensor technologies, continuous if not regular monitoring total VOC (TVOC) and or some specific VOC in potential high risk workplaces is possible even in resource limited settings. In this study, we implemented a portable VOC sensor to measure concentration of TVOC and formaldehyde (HCHO) in six types of potential high risk workplaces (n = 56 sites) of Katmandu Valley. For comparison, concentration was also measured in immediate surroundings (n = 56) of all the sites. To get preliminary information on safety practices, a survey study was also conducted. The mean TVOC and HCHO concentration in the sites ranged from 1.5‒8 mg/m3 and <0.01–5.5 mg/m3, respectively. The indoor: outdoor TVOC and HCHO ratio (I/O) was found to be significantly higher (I/O > 1.5 and p < 0.05) in 34 (~61%) and 47 sites (∼84%), respectively. A strong positive correlation between HCHO and TVOC concentration was observed in furniture industry (R = 0.91) and metal workshops (R = 0.98). Interestingly, we found TVOC and HCHO concentration higher than WHO safe limit in ∼64% and ∼32% sites, respectively. A rough estimate of chronic daily intake (CDI) of formaldehyde showed that CDI is higher than WHO limit in four sites. These findings suggested that indoor air quality in the significant number of the workplaces is poor and possible measures should be taken to minimize the exposure.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021023653Air pollutionVolatile organic compoundsIndoor air qualityWorkplace safetyVOC sensor |
| spellingShingle | Madhav Kharel Surendra Chalise Baburam Chalise Khaga Raj Sharma Deepak Gyawali Hari Paudyal Bhanu Bhakta Neupane Assessing volatile organic compound level in selected workplaces of Kathmandu Valley Heliyon Air pollution Volatile organic compounds Indoor air quality Workplace safety VOC sensor |
| title | Assessing volatile organic compound level in selected workplaces of Kathmandu Valley |
| title_full | Assessing volatile organic compound level in selected workplaces of Kathmandu Valley |
| title_fullStr | Assessing volatile organic compound level in selected workplaces of Kathmandu Valley |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing volatile organic compound level in selected workplaces of Kathmandu Valley |
| title_short | Assessing volatile organic compound level in selected workplaces of Kathmandu Valley |
| title_sort | assessing volatile organic compound level in selected workplaces of kathmandu valley |
| topic | Air pollution Volatile organic compounds Indoor air quality Workplace safety VOC sensor |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021023653 |
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