Indoor Air Quality in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Air quality was measured inside 628 United Arab Emirates (UAE) personal residences. Weekly average concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), formaldehyde (HCHO), hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), and three size fractions of particulate matter (PM 2.5 , PM c , and PM 10 ) were determined in each home. In a subset of the homes, measurements of outdoor air quality, ultrafine PM concentrations, and elemental PM concentrations were also made. Questionnaires were administered to obtain information on housing demographics and lifestyle habits. Air measurements were performed using simple and cost effective passive samplers. The 90 th percentiles of indoor CO, HCHO, H 2 S, NO 2 , and SO 2 were 1.55 ppm, 0.05 ppm, 0.12 ppm, 0.01 ppm, and 0.05 ppm, respectively. Median indoor PM 2.5 , PM c , and PM 10 , concentrations were 5.73 μg/m 3 , 29.4 μg/m 3 , and 35.2 μg/m 3 , respectively. The median indoor concentration of ultrafine PM was 3.62 × 10 10 particles/m 3 . Indoor/outdoor ratios for PM were 0.44, 0.41, and 0.38 for ultrafine PM, PM 2.5 , and PM 10 , respectively. These values fall within the range of other indoor air studies findings conducted in developing countries. Air conditioning, smoking, and attached kitchens were significantly correlated with indoor levels of carbon monoxide. In addition, indoor concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 were significantly correlated with vehicles parked within five meters of the home, central air conditioning, and having attached kitchens. This is the first robust indoor air quality data set developed for the UAE. This study demonstrates that screening level tools are a good initial step for assessing air quality when logistical issues (distance, language, cultural, training) and intrusion into personal lives need to be minimized.