Indoor Air Quality Measurements in the Chemistry Department Building of the University of Athens

Abstract

This paper summarises results from 3 years of measurements in the building of the Chemistry Department of the University of Athens, Greece, focusing mainly on the undergraduate and postgraduate laboratories. We measured levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), chlorine (Cl₂), formaldehyde (HCHO), ozone (O₃), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), total respirable suspended particulate matter (TSP), settled dust, temperature, relative humidity and noise in representative areas including laboratories, classrooms and offices. A questionnaire survey was conducted for complaints, working conditions and perception of indoor air quality. Our results showed that levels of air pollutants (especially CO₂ and CO) were below the guidelines for upper limits (<1000ppm for CO₂) under normal conditions. Fume hoods were used but are adequate only for odoriferous and volatile chemicals in the restricted area of their enclosure. In some research laboratories, levels of formaldehyde were found in the range of 0.1-0.3ppm and TVOCs levels in the range of 4-8ppm. Concentrations of TSP in some laboratories were in the range of 0.1-0.7mg·m 3. Measurements in classrooms, amphitheatres and offices showed only the presence of air pollutants from human activities. Smoking was the main source of pollution in offices.