Indoor air quality and health in schools

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether indoor air quality in schools is associated with the prevalence of allergic and respiratory diseases in children. Methods: We evaluated 1,019 students at 51 elementary schools in the city of Coimbra, Portugal. We applied a questionnaire that included questions regarding the demographic, social, and behavioral characteristics of students, as well as the presence of smoking in the family. We also evaluated the indoor air quality in the schools. Results: In the indoor air of the schools evaluated, we identified mean concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) above the maximum reference value, especially during the fall and winter. The CO2 concentration was sometimes as high as 1,942 ppm, implying a considerable health risk for the children. The most prevalent symptoms and respiratory diseases identified in the children were sneezing, rales, wheezing, rhinitis, and asthma. Other signs and symptoms, such as poor concentration, cough, headache, and irritation of mucous membranes, were identified. Lack of concentration was associated with CO2 concentrations above the maximum recommended level in indoor air (p = 0.002). There were no other significant associations. Conclusions: Most of the schools evaluated presented with reasonable air quality and thermal comfort. However, the concentrations of various pollutants, especially CO2, suggest the need for corrective interventions, such as reducing air pollutant sources and improving ventilation. There was a statistically significant association between lack of concentration in the children and exposure to high levels of CO2. The overall low level of pollution in the city of Coimbra might explain the lack of other significant associations.

Building and indoor environmental quality assessment of Nigerian primary schools: A pilot study

“…Natural ventilation usually has a low investment and operational costs, while mechanical ventilation systems are more expensive and consume energy . Although there are several guidelines and standards by reputable organizations such as WHO (World Health Organization) and ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air‐Condition Engineers), as well as national building codes, these standards are not always met: many studies from different countries have shown ventilation to be inadequate in a large proportion of classrooms . The reasons could be related to overcrowding in classrooms, as well as the type and condition of the school building and the ventilation system …”

“…37 Although there are several guidelines and standards by reputable organizations such as WHO (World Health Organization) and ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Condition Engineers), as well as national building codes, these standards are not always met: many studies from different countries have shown ventilation to be inadequate in a large proportion of classrooms. 31,[38][39][40][41] The reasons could be related to overcrowding in classrooms, as well as the type and condition of the school building and the ventilation system. 42,43 Traditionally, natural ventilation has been utilized to dilute and remove the build-up of indoor pollutants.…”

Indoor Air Pollution (Carbon Dioxide and Total Volatile Organic Compound) and Pulmonary Disorders in Junior High School Students in Depok, West Java

“…Research conducted by Panayostis in 2001 reports that students with high CO 2 concentration tend to feel drowsy, lethargic, and complaining about stuffiness or stale air (Mahyuddin & Awbi, 2012). The have respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, wheezing, rhinitis and asthma (Ferreira & Cardoso, 2014) and a positive trend between CO 2 in the room and asthma prevalence shows 4.7% (Martins et al, 2014). Research in Canada indicates that exposure to 10 types of indoor VOC is associated with reduced pulmonary function especially in the age group below 17 (Cakmak et al, 2014).…”

Recent advances in environmental controls outside the home setting

“…A review study conducted by Daisy et al [59], found that classroom ventilation is typically inadequate and may exacerbate children’s exposure to indoor air pollutants. A more recent study conducted in 2014 by Ferreira et al [60 ▪ ], corroborated these findings and showed a significant proportion of carbon dioxide measurements in urban schools in Portugal were above 1000 parts/million (ppm), the threshold generally regarded as indicative of unacceptable ventilation rates. The study conducted by Ferreira et al [60 ▪ ], also demonstrated that lack of concentration and attention was associated with CO 2 concentrations above the maximum recommended level in indoor air ( P = 0.002).…”