We are happy with the Air Quality Index noted for the City. But we don't know the Air Quality Around us. We may not all be residing in a home near highways, but the Parking area is near every apartment. There are parking floors for high-rise towers, and people living near them are facing poor quality of Air. Let's discuss this subject here.

AIR QUALITY AROUND PARKING AREA

Parking zones—whether at residential buildings, malls, offices, or hospitals—often become hidden pollution hotspots, even if the rest of the surroundings feel clean.

1️⃣ Idling Vehicles Create a Pollution Cloud

Cars that slow down, stop, start, and idle release high concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, NOx, CO, VOCs, and unburnt hydrocarbons.
This creates a dense micro-environment of pollution especially during peak hours.

2️⃣ “Canyon Effect” in Basement & Semi-Covered Parking

Basement or covered parking areas trap pollutants because:

Low ventilation
Limited airflow
Multiple vehicles moving at the same time

This causes pollutants to accumulate faster than they can disperse outdoors.

3️⃣ Dust Resuspension Every Time a Vehicle Moves

Parking areas usually have:

Concrete floors
Oily surfaces
Settled roadside dust

When vehicles move, they lift the dust back into air—increasing PM levels immediately.

4️⃣ Hot Engines + Enclosed Spaces = Higher VOCs

Evaporation from:

Fuel
Engine oil
Coolant
…increases volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which continue to emit even after the engine turns off.

5️⃣ More Movement = More Pollution Peaks

Unlike a static open area, a parking zone constantly sees:

Vehicles entering
Vehicles exiting
Delivery vans
Two-wheelers

These moments create short, sharp pollution spikes which raise overall exposure levels.

So, is a Parking Area more polluted than open surroundings?

✔ YES — typically 2×–5× higher PM levels
✔ NOx and CO concentrations spike quickly in enclosed/underground parking
✔ People who live near parking zones breathe more pollutants without realizing it

Even if the building is in a good locality, the parking area often remains the dirtiest air pocket due to trapped emissions.

How to Protect Indoor Spaces Near Parking Zones

If your home or office is located close to a parking area:

Install Nanofiber Mesh on the windows facing the parking.
Improve ventilation design to allow upward/outward airflow.
Keep doors/windows closed during peak parking hours.
Avoid staying in the basement parking for long, especially for kids, the elderly, and asthma patients.