Abstract:
Previous studies have predominantly focused on outdoor air quality, often assuming
that ambient air is the primary source of pollution. However, evidence indicates that
individuals spend most of their time indoors. Making outdoor measurements
insufficient for accurately assessing overall exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5 and
PM10) are key indoor pollutants that can exacerbate respiratory conditions. This study
aimed to evaluate indoor environmental PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in
Galigamuwa DS Division, Kegalle through a cross-sectional study using parent
reported health questionnaires, and a case-control study utilizing air samples for PM
measurement. There was a sample size of 50 houses in the Galigamuwa DS Division
in the Kegalle District and, through a stratified random sample, only houses using
firewood stoves were selected. in the first stage, a random sample of 5 out of the 53
GN Divisions in the Galigamuwa Division was selected, for the second stage
systematic random sampling was applied to select households within these GN
Divisions. Finally, parents living in the selected households were invited to
participate, representing the targeted group for this study. This multistage sampling
ensures a representative distribution across the study area while focusing on
household characteristics that influence indoor environmental quality and children’s
health. Statistical analysis employed descriptive statistics to assess PM levels in the
study area, conducted using SPSS software. The result indicated that PM2.5 and PM
10 levels exceed 60% of national standards or international thresholds (0 -50μg/m3)
in households, consistently recording PM concentrations between (60-70μg/m3)
across all Households, indicating elevated indoor air pollution. Such levels surpass
recommended guidelines for safe indoor air quality, passing potential health risks,
particularly for children who are more vulnerable to respiratory issues due to
prolonged exposure. These findings underscore the importance of adopting better
ventilation. However, despite the acceptable levels, the study recommended further
improvements in ventilation systems to maintain and potentially reduce particulate
matter (PM) levels over time. Additionally, the findings emphasized the need for
stricter indoor air quality regulations to ensure long–term protection against potential
health risks. Implementing these recommendations could lead to a sustained
reduction in PM levels within home environments, ultimately minimizing respiratory
health risks in similar settings.
