Abstract
The living environment is dynamic in nature and over years, the interventions with our surroundings have had severe implications for example air pollution. The vulnerability and level of impact crucially depend upon the economic status of society and individuals. The sustainability of human settlement plays a key role in this matter. According to a report by the Energy Policy Institution, Indian residents, exposed to the highest levels of air pollution in the world, lose about 6 years of life due to air pollution and yet have numerous dwellings dependent on natural ventilation. The middle-income group constitutes the major share of the population in India, where air conditioning/purification is not likely. The urban population spends 90% of their time indoors, raising concerns for occupant health. The challenge is to integrate the outdoor/indoor environment, economy, and society to create a liveable setting. This study attempts to demonstrate the relationship between indoor pollution and related aspects. Detailed indoor air quality audits were conducted in residential buildings in Kolkata, the second most polluted mega-city in India after Delhi. The monitoring was conducted in winter considering environmental factors and major pollution contributors like traffic and road dust. The measured parameters include temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and benzene. The audit selectively targeted the most dominant middle-income group in the urban area of the metropolitan which is natural ventilation dependent. The study assesses indoor air pollution levels and their determining factors with a discussion on possible interventions for improvement.
Presenters
Tanya Kaur BediStudent, Ph.D, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Economic, Social, and Cultural Context
KEYWORDS
Air Pollution, Urban Built-Environment, Indoor Air Quality, Health, Economic Status
