Current Research on Geography, Earth Science and Environment Vol. 7

During washing, ironing, and dyeing, laundry workers are exposed to chemicals that could be damaging to their health and the environment. These chemicals can cause everything from throat and skin irritation to cancer. Information on indoor air quality (IAQ) in laundry environments in underdeveloped nations, particularly Nigeria, was scarce. It is obvious that a high ventilation rate helps to minimise indoor air pollution. However, a variety of circumstances may interfere with this straightforward approach, necessitating the consideration of alternatives, compromises, and acceptable levels or suggested maximum concentrations of air pollutants. The study aims to assess indoor air quality and health risks from laundry activities in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. The energy cost of ventilation in terms of heating, cooling, or dehumidification, as well as the deliberate restriction of ventilation in some places under specific circumstances where the air outside may be more contaminated than that within, are the most significant of these considerations. In an effort to save energy, numerous nations have recently taken steps to lower ventilation rates. As a result, the study evaluated the risks to indoor air quality related to laundry activities in the Nigerian metropolis of Ibadan.

In Ibadan North (IBN), Ibadan North-East (IBNE), Ibadan South-West (IBSW), Ibadan North-West (IBNW), and Ibadan South-East (IBSE). A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 50 consenting laundry operators selected at random.

Multi Testers N21FR were used to monitor temperature and relative humidity (RH). Using a Met One GT 321, CO₂ meter, and an air sampler, the IAQ parameters were tracked. The values obtained for all parameters were compared to WHO limits of (Temp) 26°C, RH 60%, (PM10) 50g/m³, (TBC) 5x10² CFU/m³, and (CO₂) 1,000ppm (ASHRAE) every day for eight weeks. With SPSS (version 20), Chi-square, Pearson Correlation, and p0.05, descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

Both the mean indoor and outdoor total bacterial counts (TBC) CFU/m³ values were much lower than the WHO-recommended guideline limit of 5x10² CFU/m³. While indoor RH and temperature were above WHO guideline levels, PM₁₀ and CO₂ were below WHO and ASHRAE guideline levels, respectively, and TBC and TFC were within WHO guideline limits in all research locations.

The laundry building's outdoor and indoor air quality are typically closely related. Although it is not common, it is feasible to purify outdoor air before allowing it into a laundry building. Additionally, it is uncommon to filter air that is expelled from a laundry building; instead, the outdoor environment is typically used to dilute air pollution. Contaminants are often introduced into a laundry building's air by its occupants and their activities. The building materials and contents are frequently the source of additional pollutants. In reality, all of these pollutants are often removed from a building through forced or natural ventilation, in which some of the contaminated air is replaced with outside air.

Therefore, in order to improve indoor air quality, it is advised to increase cross ventilation in the laundry rooms. The operation and maintenance of mechanical ventilation systems in laundry environments must be improved in order to better maintain thermal comfort parameters and reduce levels of chemical pollutants emitted by launderers and product use during services.