The present study aims to assess the air quality status in the central library of Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India. Pollutants concentrations (i.e. PM10, PM2.5, PM1 and TVOC) and comfort parameters i.e. CO2, temperature and relative humidity were monitored across all floors of the library. Air quality was found to vary significantly (P < 0.05) among the different floors of the library. The average concentration of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 was found to be highest at the first floor. On the other hand, the highest concentration of TVOC (51.7 ± 30 ppb) and CO2 (838.4 ± 99 ppm) was observed at the ground floor. Pollutant concentration was higher in the morning hours. The indoor pollutants were found positively correlated with each other except relative humidity. Indoor to outdoor ratio for PM1, TVOC and CO2 was found to be greater than 1, which indicate a substantial contribution from indoor sources. Exceedance of WHO guidelines was observed for the daily average PM2.5 concentration.Abbreviation: IAQ: indoor air quality; ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers; WHO: World Health Organization; PM: particulate matter; VOC: volatile organic carbon; CO2: carbon dioxide; TVOC: Total volatile organic compound; RH: relative humidity; HVAC: heating ventilation and air-conditioning; PID: Photo Ionization Detector; PTFE: Polytetrafluoroethylene; NDIR: Non-dispersive infra-red.
Keywords: India; Indoor environment; air pollution; indoor-outdoor ratio; mechanically ventilated.