Impact of natural lemongrass and agarwood essential oil diffusion on indoor airborne pollutants: A case study of office environments
This research explores the use of natural-based essential oils to enhance the quality of indoor air (IAQ) in an office environment using an experimental approach. Lemongrass and agarwood essential oils were studied for their potential to contribute to a healthier and sustainable indoor environment d...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier Ltd
2025
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| Online Access: | http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/43602/ http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/43602/1/Impact%20of%20natural%20lemongrass%20and%20agarwood%20essential%20oil%20diffusion%20on%20indoor%20airborne%20pollutants%20-%20A%20case%20study%20of%20office%20environments.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848826914099167232 |
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| author | Nur Atekah, Abdul Rahman Nor Ashikin, Sopian Nor Husna, Mat Hussin Fatmawati, Adam Noor Fatihah, Mohamad Fandi Juliana, Jalaludin Tualeka, Abdul Rohim |
| author_facet | Nur Atekah, Abdul Rahman Nor Ashikin, Sopian Nor Husna, Mat Hussin Fatmawati, Adam Noor Fatihah, Mohamad Fandi Juliana, Jalaludin Tualeka, Abdul Rohim |
| author_sort | Nur Atekah, Abdul Rahman |
| building | UMP Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | This research explores the use of natural-based essential oils to enhance the quality of indoor air (IAQ) in an office environment using an experimental approach. Lemongrass and agarwood essential oils were studied for their potential to contribute to a healthier and sustainable indoor environment due to their antibacterial properties. The essential oil droplets were released using an Ultrasonic Diffuser, and air quality measurements were taken before and after the diffusion of essential oils. The concentration of airborne bioaerosols, VOCs, PM, and other physical parameters were monitored throughout the sampling period. Lemongrass essential oil significantly reduced the total bacterial and fungal count by 74.19% and 76.34% respectively, while agarwood only significantly reduced the total fungal count by 55.20%. This study found that physical parameters such as air velocity and relative humidity have a substantial impact on the efficiency of essential oil diffusion. With a correlation of more than 47%, lemongrass diffusion showed substantial relationships between air velocity and VOC, PM10, and PM2.5. Diffusion of agarwood showed strong correlations of more than 57% between relative humidity and VOC, TSP, PM10, and PM2.5. Temperature, as controlled by air conditioning, did not affect diffusion. The study adds to our understanding of the antibacterial and antifungal activities of lemongrass and agarwood essential oils. Diffusing essential oils, particularly lemongrass, improved IAQ as the total microbial count was able to be reduced without impacting other parameters, demonstrating a practical and efficient improvement. The beneficial effect on IAQ highlights the potential of essential oil diffusion for healthier indoor environments, hence helping the promotion of good IAQ following safety and health regulations. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T03:52:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | ump-43602 |
| institution | Universiti Malaysia Pahang |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T03:52:23Z |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Elsevier Ltd |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | ump-436022025-01-23T04:23:37Z http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/43602/ Impact of natural lemongrass and agarwood essential oil diffusion on indoor airborne pollutants: A case study of office environments Nur Atekah, Abdul Rahman Nor Ashikin, Sopian Nor Husna, Mat Hussin Fatmawati, Adam Noor Fatihah, Mohamad Fandi Juliana, Jalaludin Tualeka, Abdul Rohim HD Industries. Land use. Labor TP Chemical technology This research explores the use of natural-based essential oils to enhance the quality of indoor air (IAQ) in an office environment using an experimental approach. Lemongrass and agarwood essential oils were studied for their potential to contribute to a healthier and sustainable indoor environment due to their antibacterial properties. The essential oil droplets were released using an Ultrasonic Diffuser, and air quality measurements were taken before and after the diffusion of essential oils. The concentration of airborne bioaerosols, VOCs, PM, and other physical parameters were monitored throughout the sampling period. Lemongrass essential oil significantly reduced the total bacterial and fungal count by 74.19% and 76.34% respectively, while agarwood only significantly reduced the total fungal count by 55.20%. This study found that physical parameters such as air velocity and relative humidity have a substantial impact on the efficiency of essential oil diffusion. With a correlation of more than 47%, lemongrass diffusion showed substantial relationships between air velocity and VOC, PM10, and PM2.5. Diffusion of agarwood showed strong correlations of more than 57% between relative humidity and VOC, TSP, PM10, and PM2.5. Temperature, as controlled by air conditioning, did not affect diffusion. The study adds to our understanding of the antibacterial and antifungal activities of lemongrass and agarwood essential oils. Diffusing essential oils, particularly lemongrass, improved IAQ as the total microbial count was able to be reduced without impacting other parameters, demonstrating a practical and efficient improvement. The beneficial effect on IAQ highlights the potential of essential oil diffusion for healthier indoor environments, hence helping the promotion of good IAQ following safety and health regulations. Elsevier Ltd 2025 Article PeerReviewed pdf en http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/43602/1/Impact%20of%20natural%20lemongrass%20and%20agarwood%20essential%20oil%20diffusion%20on%20indoor%20airborne%20pollutants%20-%20A%20case%20study%20of%20office%20environments.pdf Nur Atekah, Abdul Rahman and Nor Ashikin, Sopian and Nor Husna, Mat Hussin and Fatmawati, Adam and Noor Fatihah, Mohamad Fandi and Juliana, Jalaludin and Tualeka, Abdul Rohim (2025) Impact of natural lemongrass and agarwood essential oil diffusion on indoor airborne pollutants: A case study of office environments. Building and Environment, 270 (112514). pp. 1-10. ISSN Print: 0360-1323 ; Online: 1873-684X. (Published) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.112514 10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.112514 |
| spellingShingle | HD Industries. Land use. Labor TP Chemical technology Nur Atekah, Abdul Rahman Nor Ashikin, Sopian Nor Husna, Mat Hussin Fatmawati, Adam Noor Fatihah, Mohamad Fandi Juliana, Jalaludin Tualeka, Abdul Rohim Impact of natural lemongrass and agarwood essential oil diffusion on indoor airborne pollutants: A case study of office environments |
| title | Impact of natural lemongrass and agarwood essential oil diffusion on indoor airborne pollutants: A case study of office environments |
| title_full | Impact of natural lemongrass and agarwood essential oil diffusion on indoor airborne pollutants: A case study of office environments |
| title_fullStr | Impact of natural lemongrass and agarwood essential oil diffusion on indoor airborne pollutants: A case study of office environments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of natural lemongrass and agarwood essential oil diffusion on indoor airborne pollutants: A case study of office environments |
| title_short | Impact of natural lemongrass and agarwood essential oil diffusion on indoor airborne pollutants: A case study of office environments |
| title_sort | impact of natural lemongrass and agarwood essential oil diffusion on indoor airborne pollutants: a case study of office environments |
| topic | HD Industries. Land use. Labor TP Chemical technology |
| url | http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/43602/ http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/43602/ http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/43602/ http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/43602/1/Impact%20of%20natural%20lemongrass%20and%20agarwood%20essential%20oil%20diffusion%20on%20indoor%20airborne%20pollutants%20-%20A%20case%20study%20of%20office%20environments.pdf |