Assessment of indoor carbon monoxide (CO) concentration in residential area

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) has been matter of public concern as people mostly spend their time at home. The objective of this study is to identify the sources of the air contaminant in indoor residential area and outside air, measure concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) in indoor residential area and evaluate potential health effect of CO to human health. Sixteen houses were randomly selected from four residential areas. Concentrations of indoor and outdoor CO were collected by using air pump LaMotte, with a flow rate 0.5 Lpm for 1 hour. From the result of sampling, the average indoor and outdoor CO concentrations in all of the selected residential area were less than 14.3 mg/m³. Indoor CO concentration does not exceed the residential indoor air quality guideline of CO in Canada, which was 28.6 mg/m³. For outdoor CO concentration, the value does not exceed the standard limit of CO concentration, which was 34.36 mg/m³, stated by Department of Environment (DOE). From health risk assessment, it can be conclude that potential health risk for human exposure to CO was neurosensory impairment, effect on neurotransmitter and auditory system, abnormal respiratory responses, low birth weight, congenital anomalies and oral cleft.