Mitigating Indoor Air Pollution in University Dormitory: The Need for Better Ventilation and Resident Awareness

Due to the expansion of the education industry in Dubai, universities have built many dormitories. Even though Dubai has a robust indoor air quality (IAQ) stipulation for public and educational buildings, dormitories must be included. IAQ in newly constructed university dormitories can be significantly influenced by emissions from furniture made from materials such as plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), or particle board (PB) that contains formaldehyde (HCHO). This study aimed to investigate and improve the IAQ in a newly constructed university dormitory. As a methodology, the study measured the concentrations of total volatile organic compound (TVOC) and HCHO in three identical rooms on different floors of a newly constructed dormitory. The experiment results showed that TVOC and HCHO were generally high, ranging from 0.23 to 18.4 ppm, up to two months after in the new dormitory, but they tended to decrease over time. The two primary factors contributing to the decrease in these pollutants were increased ventilation and reduced occupancy. Comparing the three rooms provided valuable insights into the factors influencing indoor air quality, such as the amount of infiltration through the window gaps, cooling temperatures, and humidity. The study suggests that the air quality in indoor environments can be improved by increasing ventilation, reducing occupancy, and managing the use of household items that emit pollutants. The findings can inform strategies to enhance building IAQ, promoting occupant health and well-being. From these findings, TVOC concentrations in room 1A decreased from 6.57 ppm at the first measurement to 0.13 ppm at the third measurement, while room 3B showed a decrease from 18.4 ppm to 1.16 ppm, and room 5C showed a decrease from 12.5 ppm to 0.93 ppm. HCHO concentrations also decreased, with room 1A decreasing from 2.56 ppm to 0.22 ppm, room 3B decreasing from 4.50 ppm to 2.82 ppm, and room 5C decreasing from 6.88 ppm to 2.15 ppm over the same period.