Air Quality Introduction

Indoor air quality (IAQ) can be defined as the quality of air of structures and buildings inside and

around them (EPA, 2016). Air condition is important because polluted air can pose health risks.

Every year, according to the World Health Organization, worldwide, there are over 2 million

premature deaths from indoor air and urban outdoor air pollution (World Health Organization,

2005).

The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards

(NAAQS) for pollutants that are perceived to be harmful to both the environment and human

health. Categorizing pollutant standards as primary, secondary, or both. Categorized as primary

pollutants are considered to be hazardous to public health. Secondary pollutants are those that

have no impact on human health. They may have negative effects such as reduced visibility or

vegetation, building and damage to animals. The following pollutants are some of the six

pollutants criteria that be tested. The average carbon monoxide level for one hour should not

exceed 9 ppm in average over 8 hours or 35 ppm. One of the primary pollutants is carbon

monoxide. A primary and secondary standard of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) should not exceed an

average of 100 ppb over an hour or an average of 53 ppb over a year. The primary and secondary

levels of ozone (O3) should not exceed 0.070 ppm over 8 hours. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is

considered to be a primary pollutant if over an average of 75 ppb over an hour. It is considered a

secondary pollutant if it exceeds 0.5 ppm for a duration of 3 hours (EPA, 2016).

Current and past data for air quality were accessed from the Phoenix area. At numerous sites,

both indoors and outdoors, the air quality was tested using the pollutants criteria along with other

parameters. This paper aims to make comparisons between locations of different parameter
levels and to discuss the possible reasons for these differences. There will also be comparisons

between the levels of pollutants around the University and the NAAQS.

References

EPA. (2016). Ozone pollution. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/ozone-pollution Minnesota

Pollution Control Agency. (2012). Sulfur dioxide. Retrieved from

https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/sulfur-dioxide

World Health Organization. (2005). WHO air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone,

nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Retrieved from

http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/69477/1/WHO_SDE_PHE_OEH_06.02_eng.pdf