| Title: | Assessing volatile organic compound level in selected workplaces of Kathmandu Valley |
| Author(s): | Kharel M; Chalise S; Chalise B; Sharma KR; Gyawali D; Paudyal H; Neupane BB; |
| Address: | "Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal. Ministry of Forests and Environment, Department of Environment, Government of Nepal, Nepal" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08262 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 2405-8440 (Print) 2405-8440 (Electronic) 2405-8440 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "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?ªª8 mg/m(3) and <0.01-5.5 mg/m(3), 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 ( approximately 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 approximately 64% and approximately 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" |
| Keywords: | Air pollution Indoor air quality VOC sensor Volatile organic compounds Workplace safety; |
| Notes: | "PubMed-not-MEDLINEKharel, Madhav Chalise, Surendra Chalise, Baburam Sharma, Khaga Raj Gyawali, Deepak Paudyal, Hari Neupane, Bhanu Bhakta eng England 2021/11/13 Heliyon. 2021 Oct 27; 7(11):e08262. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08262. eCollection 2021 Nov" |
