Association between Human Health and Indoor Air Pollution in Saudi Arabia: Indoor Environmental Quality Survey
Mohd Saleem
Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, KSA.
Mohd Adnan Kausar
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, KSA.
Fahmida Khatoon
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, KSA.
Sadaf Anwar
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, KSA.
Syed Monowar Alam Shahid
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, KSA
Tariq Ginawi
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, KSA.
Ashfaque Hossain
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, UAE.
Abdullah Aziz Saleh Alhammad Al Anizy
College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, KSA.
Mohammed Aiydh A. Alswaidan
College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, KSA.
Abdulrahman Saleh Aseeri
College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, KSA.
Mahammad Hamed Bin Saloom Alturjmi
College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, KSA.
Dkhel F. Abdulkarim
Abdalla Almosnaid Health Training Center, Riyadh, KSA.
Mohammed Kuddus *
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, KSA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In many aspects of life quality, bio-contaminants and indoor air quality have had catastrophic consequences, including a negative impact on human health with an increased prevalence of allergic respiratory reactions, asthma, and infectious diseases. We aimed to evaluate the quality of indoor air environment and find out the association between human health and indoor air pollution and also to assess the physical health status of a group of Saudi and non-Saudi populations during this pandemic. Also, we aimed to assess the most common health condition or symptoms associated with ventilation. A questionnaire was distributed online to test indoor air quality, ventilation status, common signs and symptoms of any allergy or mental status and their relationship to certain variables. A total of 362 respondents were included. Before living in the current home, flu or Influenza and chapped lips were more prevalent than allergies and chapped lips signs while living in the current home. (12.2% , 10.8% vs. 18.5% , 13.55% before and after respectively) Multiple colds were the second most common symptom (10.2%). Hoarse voice and headaches were the least common symptoms experienced; each constituted 4.4%. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, most respondents wore a facemask, approximately 76.5%; and almost one-third of respondents had bright natural light inside the current home (43.1%). The presence of natural light within the current home was significantly associated with symptoms experienced during living in the current house (p<0.05). Natural sunlight exposure could decrease allergic symptoms and minor health problems associated with poor ventilation and air quality indoors. In current living homes, the majority of respondents never used air purifiers (72.9 percent). In order to get attention from people to enhance the quality and ventilation mechanism of indoor air, special care and awareness of the effects of the use of air purifiers on human health is needed.
Keywords: Indoor air pollution, human health, Influenza & Respiratory allergies