Advances in Life Sciences 2015, 5(1): 1-11 DOI: 10.5923/j.als.20150501.01 An Assessment of Indoor Air Quality in Selected Households in Squatter Settlements Warri, Nigeria Akpofure Rim-Rukeh Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Department of Environmenta Science, Effurun, Nigeria Abstract An assessment of indoor air quality in selected households living in squatter settlements at Warri, Nigeria was analyzed experimentally. A total of 60 households were randomly selected for the study. In each household (living room and kitchen areas), six (6) air quality monitoring parameters; suspended particulate matter (SPM 2.5 and SPM 10 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ), and ozone, (O 3 ) were monitored. Obtanied data were statitically analysed. Results indicate that measured levels of NO 2 , CO and SPM in all sampled households were above regulatory limits of 0.06ppm, 10ppm and 250µg/m 3 respectively as a result of the form of domestic fuels (firewood, wood charcoal and sawdust) use for cooking. The distribution of the measured air quality parameters (PM 10 and CO) in the living (parlour) room and in the kitchen area, was computed using the Pearson Moment correlation. A correlation (r) of 0.571 and 0.756 were obtained for SPM and CO respectively for households in Marako slum. In Igbudu slum a correlation (r) of 0.455 and 0.447 were obtained for SPM and CO respectively, while in Makaver slum a correlation (r) of 0.510 and 0.784 were obtained for SPM and CO respectively. Structurally similarity in the houses promoted the diffusion of pollutants from the kitchen into the living spaces. The air quality index (AQI) shows that the air is unhealthy for human habitation. At the policy level, the study has identified several sources of indoor air pollution exposure risk that can be mitigated by the dwellers of squatter settlements. Keywords Slums, Air quality index, Households, Firewoods, Particulate matter, Kitchen, Living room 1. Introduction Besides just looking at the clean and decorative facades of the buildings in a city, a closer look reveals a darker aspect of the urban scenario – the presence of squatter settlements or slums. Although the concept of slums or squatter settlements and its definition vary from country to country depending upon the socio-economic conditions of the society, slums are generally regarded as neglected parts of cities where housing and living conditions are appallingly poor. Slum household as a group of individuals living under the same roof that lack one or more of the following conditions; access to safe water; access to sanitation; secure tenure; durability of housing; and sufficient living area [1]. Slumshave also been viewed as areas where building are in any respect unfit for human habitation by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement and design of such buildings, narrowness or faulty arrangement of streets, lack of ventilation, light, sanitation facilities or any combination of these factors which are detrimental to safety, health and morals [2]. * Corresponding author: arimrukeh@yahoo.co.uk (Akpofure Rim-Rukeh) Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/als Copyright © 2015 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved Economically slums are areas inhabited by the poor in the urban system [3]. The poor are the unemployed, the unskilled, and illiterate and often the alcoholics, the vagabond and the delinquent [3]. The basic characteristics of slums are visually unpleasant buildings, lack of basic amenities (water supply, sanitary, electricity etc), acute overcrowding, services used illegally, high birth rate, high mortality rate, high infant mortality, unhealthy environment, low socio-economic conditions, environmental (land, air, water and noise) pollution, frustration among people, lack of civic sense and knowledge, grossly congested area and unsecured life. The living conditions in slums are usually unhygienic and contrary to all norms of planned urban growth [4]. The origin of slum settlements can be traced to the great industrial revolution in Britain [5]. The development of the wheel machine in London created opportunities for job and thus lured people who then settled themselves near to the factory. The limited residences built around the factory could not provide shelter for all the workers. Some people adjusted themselves in congested spaces although basic amenities were not available, thus a ‘slumdon’ was created. Today, slums are fast becoming major characteristics of an industrial growing city. There is no likelihood that the present trend of increasing urban population growth in Nigeria can be changed for some time to come. This is