Evaluation of Indoor air quality model over residential micro-environments of Hyderabad, India: air pollution exposure and ventilation

Air pollution poses risks for most of the commuters who live almost 90% of their time indoors (Thakur et al., 2023; Vijay et al., 2025). Air quality monitoring is critical in assessing the environmental and public health impacts of pollution, particularly in rapidly urbanizing cities of India (e.g Hyderabad, capital city of state of Telangana). The PMx is a module of EPA based IAQx model version 1.0 was employed to simulate air pollution exposure in an urban residential setting. Model outcomes were evaluated with the field based observations carried over the corresponding environments to understand pollutant distribution patterns in residential places. Using real-time monitoring systems, parameters such as particulate matter (PM_2.5, PM₁₀), Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) were analysed by employing the sensor instrument at a height of 1m above the floor of the room in different microenvironments of two distinct residential buildings (mostly both are of naturally ventilated during day-time and mechanically ventilated during night-time) across Hyderabad. Building occupational capacity governs the dispersion and exposure concentration of air pollution in indoor spaces. While Indoor air pollution sources including Kitchen rooms are identified as one of the hotspots of PM_2.5 and TVOC pollution, drawing hall and bed room remains the recievers of high concentrations of PM₁₀ and CO₂ pollution, respectively. Results indicated substantial variations in pollutant levels between indoor and outdoor settings, largely influenced by factors like ventilation, traffic density, and industrial activities (Guttikunda et al., 2014). Findings underscore the need for context-specific pollution mitigation strategies, such as improved ventilation in buildings in existing building and for upcoming constructions may ensure better air quality and public health.