Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality Assessment of RSU Campus Air Basin

The study provides a comprehensive evaluation of air quality within the Rivers State University Main campus. This research is pivotal as it addresses both indoor and outdoor air pollution, a critical concern for educational institutions where the health and productivity of students and staff are at stake. The study aims to assess air quality by examining particulate matter and gaseous pollutants across various campus locations and comparing these findings against national and international standards. It identified pollution sources and evaluated the awareness of campus residents regarding air quality and its health impacts. The study's methodology includes air quality measurements and a questionnaire survey to gather perceptions from the university community. Significantly, the research highlights the intertwined nature of indoor and outdoor environments, emphasizing the impact of air quality on health. The findings reveal that PM2.5 levels across all sampled locations, including the Main Gate, Hostel H/PG area, College of Medical Sciences, Lecture Hall, Institute of Pollution Studies, and Shopping Complex, consistently remained below the national standard of 35.0 µg/m³. However, PM10 concentrations, while higher, were still within the acceptable national limit of 150.0 µg/m³. The analysis also covers gaseous pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ground-level ozone (O3), and volatile organic compounds (VOC), with most measurements falling within safe limits, except for certain areas where CO levels slightly exceeded the national standard. The study further evaluates the toxicity potentials of these pollutants, highlighting areas with potential health risks, particularly in indoor environments. The Air Quality Index (AQI) assessments categorize most campus locations as "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups," with some areas, such as the Hostel H/PG indoor environment, classified as "Unhealthy." The demographic survey reveals that the majority of respondents are students, with a significant portion identifying vehicle emissions and poor ventilation as primary sources of outdoor and indoor air pollution, respectively. The study highlights the necessity for targeted interventions and policies to mitigate pollution and protect public health. By focusing on a university setting, the study fills a gap in the existing literature and provides evidence-based recommendations for improving air quality, with implications for broader environmental management and policy-making.