Monitoring of indoor particulate matter levels from a residential home in San Miguel, Maragondon, Cavite
Abstract
Mass concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 from a residential house in San Miguel, Maragondon, Cavite were determined in February 2019. This study seeks to explore the relationship between the mass concentration of PM and the different meteorological parameters such as wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity. Sample collection was performed using Series 290 Marple Style personal cascade impactor (Tisch Environmental, Inc., Cleves, Ohio) coupled with with Buck Libra L-4 pump (A.P. Buck Inc., Orlando, Florida). The highest PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were found on February 18, 2019. An inverse relationship was found between the mass concentration and the wind velocity, relative humidity, and temperature. All PM10 mass concentration in the study exceeded the Indoor Air Quality Guideline Value set by the World Health Organization (50 µg/m3 for PM10 and 25 µg/m3 for PM2.5), 72.62 µg/m3, 65.48 µg/m3, 61.9 µg/m3 , and 75 µg/m3 for February 8, February 9, February 17, and February 18, respectively. Mass concentration as high as these may pose threat to individuals who spend most of their time inside their homes. As for the obtained mass concentration for PM2.5, all values are below WHO guidelines at 23.21 µg/m3 (February 8), 18.45 µg/m3 (February 9), 16.67 µg/m3 (February 17), and 25 µg/m3 (February 18). The results obtained from this study may contribute information for the improvement of local policies. But most importantly, it may increase awareness about indoor air pollution.
