Indoor Air Quality and Risks Connected to Laundry Operations in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

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. As a result, the study evaluated the risks to indoor air quality related with 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), 50 out of 100 consenting laundry operators were randomly chosen to participate in a descriptive cross-sectional survey.

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. Therefore, it is recommended to boost cross ventilations in the laundry rooms to improve indoor air quality.

IAQ appeared to be impaired in the laundry environment in Ibadan, Nigeria. To better maintain thermal comfort parameters and lower levels of chemical pollutants released by launderers and product use during services, mechanical ventilation systems in laundry environments need to be upgraded with regard to operation and maintenance.