Effect of Open and Closed State of Windows on the Indoor Air Quality of Residential Housing

Abstract

The cities are always criticized for the depleting quality of air, especially due to the high vehicular movement outside the residential housing. The Indoor air within the premises of the built environment is rarely accounted for when the urban air quality is evaluated. It is important to understand the indoor air and its factors. The pollutants present in the indoor air have a great impact on the health and well-being of people. The changes in air quality inside a building could result from both natural and man-made factors. This paper aims to study the impact of blocking all the natural ventilation in residences on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). The experiment was conducted in three residences located in different parts of Bangalore, India. The measurements of the IAQ were taken in two scenarios, when the windows were open and when the windows were closed for 24 hrs, in each of the residences. The IQ Air quality monitor was used to measure the various indoor air quality factors such as Air Quality Index (AQI), PM2.5, PM10, CO2, temperature, and humidity. The results showed clearly that the indoor air was better when the windows of the residences were kept open, allowing for good ventilation. As an anomaly, the observations also showed a significant impact of outdoor air pollution on the indoor air. The measurements showed lower IAQ levels when the windows were kept open during high traffic. The study concludes by providing salient points for residence ventilation, for maintaining good IAQ and the health of its residents.