Indoor Air Quality Assessment in Residential Buildings in Minna, Niger State: Engineering Indication for Building Technology Development and Environmental Health Entrepreneurship

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a vital but rarely studied public health problem in fast urbanising cities of developing countries. This study evaluated the quality of indoor air in residential buildings in Minna metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria, and studied associated health effects. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 355 households selected using a multistage sampling technique. Mean concentrations of PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, CO, and CO₂, along with relative humidity and temperature, were measured in living rooms and kitchens using portable digital instruments. Health and housing features were obtained using structured questionnaires. Mean concentrations of PM₂.₅ (59.2 µg/m³), PM₁₀ (95.5 µg/m³), and CO (6.7 ppm) were higher than World Health Organisation permissible limits in many households. Pollutant levels were considerably higher in homes using biomass fuels than in homes using cleaner energy sources. Shortness of breath, headaches, eye irritation, and a prolonged cough were among the most commonly reported symptoms. Respiratory symptoms and PM₂ amounts were reported to be positively correlated (r = 0.48, p = 0.002). According to the study's findings, pollution of indoor air in Minna can result in a major danger to public health. To reduce exposure, it is important to encourage clean cooking fuels, improve ventilation, and include IAQ concerns in housing and urban development plans.