Quantity of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and assessment of respiratory health risks among individuals at a university in inner Bangkok

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the concentration of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns (PM 2.5), associated health effects, the prevalence of abnormal respiratory symptoms, and the assessment of respiratory health risks among personnel at a university in the inner Bangkok zone. A Dust Sampler Mini Vol Air Sampler (AIR Metrics US) was employed to measure dust concentration, and tools were utilized to assess the risks and abnormal symptoms resulting from dust exposure. Purposive sampling was used to categorize the university personnel into six groups: students, lecturers, office staff, housekeepers, security guards, and convenience store employees, totaling 60 participants. The study found that the concentration of PM 2.5 in the university area, measured from January to March 2023, ranged from 8.0 to 72.0 µg/m3, with an average concentration of 29.21 µg/m3. The most commonly reported respiratory symptoms were nasal congestion and a runny nose, followed by eye and skin irritation, accounting for 51.70% and 31.70% of cases, respectively. The estimated health risk from dust exposure, indicated by the Hazard Quotient (HQ), ranged from 1.70 to 1.96, reflecting a level of risk that could affect health across all studies. The student group exhibited the highest risk ratio, followed by housekeepers, convenience store employees, security guards, office staff, and lecturers, with risk values of 1.96, 1.94, 1.92, 1.78, 1.78, and 1.70, respectively. These findings highlight the critical need for university personnel to maintain continuous awareness of the hazards associated with dust exposure and to strictly adhere to control and prevention measures to mitigate health risks and impacts.