Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality Concentration Levels in Selected Hospital Environments in Kigali, Rwanda

Abstract

BackgroundExposure to polluted air is a significant cause of negative health effects. Air quality is crucial in hospital environments as patients and healthcare workers spend more time in such settings for treatment where they experience prolonged and repetitive exposure; however, comprehensive studies on air quality in hospital environments in Rwanda are scarce.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the indoor and outdoor air quality concentration levels in selected hospitals and investigate potential sources of air pollution.MethodsThis descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in two public and two private hospitals in Kigali that were randomly selected using a simple random sampling technique. Real-time particulate matter (PM), PM2.5 and PM10 were measured using calibrated Purple Air PA-II sensors. An observation checklist was used to identify potential sources of air pollution. One way ANOVA and t-tests were performed.ResultsAir quality levels in selected hospitals exceeded acceptable limits. The daily average indoor PM2.5 concentration ranged from 23.52 μg/m³ to 121.60 μg/m³, and the PM10 levels varied from 25.98 μg/m³ to 131.17 μg/m³. In all hospitals, the difference in average indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were not statistically significant. ConclusionAll recorded concentrations exceeded the WHO air quality guidelines. The study calls for strategies to improve air quality in hospitals.Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2023;6(3):389-397