Measurement and analysis of indoor air pollutants in a room sprayed with a locally manufactured air freshener

Abstract

In the modern world, since, people like to live, work and travel in, aesthetically pleasing, comfortable environments with pleasant odour, they tend to use, decorative interiors, air conditioners and air fresheners, whereas, during good old days, natural alternatives, such as, natural ventilation, natural fragrances and natural interiors were used to make living comfortable. Today, in most of the indoor environments, air fresheners are sprayed, to give a pleasant odour. This is practiced in most commercial buildings, factories, houses, as well as, cars and other modes of transport. However, many studies conducted by researchers, internationally, have. revealed that many chemicals are used in the manufacture of air fresheners, some of which, might have adverse impacts on human health. The main objective of this research project was to measure and analyse concentrations of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) and Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), due to the spray of air freshener into an air conditioned office room, with no external air circulation. To make the research relevant to Sri Lanka, a locally manufactured, popular brand of air freshener packed in a non pressurised finger operated spray bottle, was used to spray air freshener into the room. The results have revealed that, the indoor air TVOC levels can significantly rise beyond permissible limits, in an air conditioned room, with no external air circulation.