Indoor Air Quality in Primary Schools

Freitas, Maria do Carmo Duarte; Canha, Nuno; Martinho, Maria; Almeida-Silva, Marina; Marta, Susana; Pegas, Priscilla; Alves, Célia; Pio, Casimiro; Trancoso, Maria Ascensão; Sousa, R.; Mouro, Filomena; Contreiras, Teresa

doi:10.5772/17609

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Airborne fungi have received much attention from medical and environmental researchers because of their potential health hazards. Numerous studies on fungal biodiversity in both indoor and outdoor environments ( Pavan and Manjunath, 2014 ), such as hospitals, railway stations, agricultural areas ( Björnsson et al, 1995 ; Newson et al, 2000 ; Meklin et al, 2002 ; Adhikari et al, 2004 ; Kawasaki et al, 2010 ; Harkawy et al, 2011 ), classrooms, libraries, and dormitories of educational institutions have been performed ( Karwowska, 2003 ; Karbowska-Berent et al, 2011 ; Freitas et al, 2012 ; Kalwasińska et al, 2012 ; Faridi et al, 2015 ; Li et al, 2015 ). Air fungal concentrations in domestic environments have been investigated in numerous studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Factors Shaping the Diversity and Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Indoor and Outdoor Culturable Airborne Fungal Communities in Tianjin University Campus, Tianjin, China

Yuan

Wang²,

Pecoraro³

2022

Front. Microbiol.

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Airborne fungi have significant influence on air quality and may pose adverse effects on human health due to their allergenic and pathogenic effect. We carried out a 1-year survey on the airborne fungal diversity and concentration of indoor and outdoor environments, within the Tianjin University campus. Airborne fungi were sampled using an HAS-100B air sampler. Isolated fungal strains were identified based on morphological and molecular analysis. A total of 641 fungal strains belonging to 173 species and 74 genera were identified in this study. The dominant fungal genera were Cladosporium (29.49%), Alternaria (25.9%), and Epicoccum (6.24%), while the most frequently occurring species were A. alternata (15.44%), C. cladosporioides (11.86%), and E. nigrum (5.77%). The mean fungal concentration at different sites ranged from 0 to 420 CFU/m3, which is lower than the permissive standard level. There was a seasonal variation in the airborne fungal community, while temperature and relative humidity were positively correlated with the fungal concentration and diversity at almost all the sites. Higher fungal diversity was recorded in peak period of human traffic at the two canteens, whereas the two dormitories showed higher fungal diversity in off-peak period. Our study provides the first report on the diversity and concentration of airborne fungal species within different Tianjin University campus environments and clarifies the role played by environmental factors on the analyzed fungal community. Our results may represent valuable information for air quality monitoring and microbial pollution control in densely populated human living environments.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Factors Shaping the Diversity and Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Indoor and Outdoor Culturable Airborne Fungal Communities in Tianjin University Campus, Tianjin, China

Yuan

Wang²,

Pecoraro³

2022

Front. Microbiol.

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“… 7 , 9 , 15 There are various studies on the quality of air quality inside schools. 2 , 4 , 11 , 12 , a However, there are few studies involving this area in Portugal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estudo exploratorio da qualidade do ar em escolas de educacao basica, Coimbra, Portugal

Ferreira

Cardoso

2013

Rev. Saude Publica

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OBJECTIVETo analyze the air quality in elementary schools and their structural and functional conditions.METHODSAir quality in 51 elementary schools (81 classrooms) in the city of Coimbra, Portugal, both inside and outside of the rooms was evaluated during the four seasons, from 2010 to 2011. Temperature (T°), relative humidity (Hr), concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), compounds were evaluated, as were volatile organics (VOC), formaldehyde and particulate matter (PM10), from November 2010 to February 2011 (autumn/winter) and March 2011 to June 2011 (spring/summer). A grid characterizing the structural and functional conditions of the schools was created. The statistical Student t test for paired samples and the Wilcoxon t test were applied.RESULTSIn 47 schools, the average CO2concentrations were above the maximum reference concentration (984 ppm) mentioned in Portuguese legislation. The maximum concentration values found inside the rooms were critical, especially in the fall/winter (5,320 ppm). In some schools the average concentrations of VOC and PM10within the maximum concentration exceeded the reference legislated. The values (risk) of CO, formaldehyde, NO2, SO2and O3detected were not relevant.CONCLUSIONSThere was a higher concentration of pollutants inside the rooms compared with outside. Inadequate ventilation is associated with high CO2concentration in the classroom.

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“…Due to growing concerns within the scientific community about the effects of indoor air quality on health, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has been the subject of numerous studies, especially given that children spend more time inside than outside. 11 As children spend at least a third of their time inside school buildings, that is, approximately seven or more hours a day in school, it is anticipated that the indoor air quality (IAQ) in school buildings will play an important role in the assessment of the effects of the children's exposure to air pollution. Academic performance and attendance can be affected by poor IAQ.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Impact of School Built Environment on Children

Chorasia,

Tendulkar,

Gogia

et al. 2023

Natl J Community Med

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School-built environment impacts mental health, physical health, obesity, bullying, learning disorder, and respiratory disorders in children. The built environments of schools have a direct implication on the health of children. Indoor air quality in school buildings will play a role in children's exposure to pollution. One of the most consistently reported factors associated with children's active travel rates to school is the distance to school, with children more likely to walk or cycle to school the closer they live to the school. An evidence base regarding the built environment factors that shape decision-making and behavior related to active modes of travel in adults is emerging for policymakers. Functional aspects of the built environment include the distance between places; street design and geometry; street connectivity; path infrastructure, aesthetic qualities; safety; the mix of land uses; and the proximity and quality of destinations. Regarding architecture, the primary goal should be to create a space that maximizes natural light, airflow, and captivating aesthetics. Students spend their most important and developing years on school campuses; it is essential to consider their mental and physical health to create an environment where they can learn and develop their personalities in comfort. This paper discusses the health impacts that school-built environments have on children from a public health professional's perspective as well as an architect's viewpoint, as both institutions are crucial for children and adolescents to grow up in environments that encourage more active, safe, and sustainable lifestyles.

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Indoor Air Quality in Primary Schools

Cited by 4 publications

References 11 publications

Environmental Factors Shaping the Diversity and Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Indoor and Outdoor Culturable Airborne Fungal Communities in Tianjin University Campus, Tianjin, China

Environmental Factors Shaping the Diversity and Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Indoor and Outdoor Culturable Airborne Fungal Communities in Tianjin University Campus, Tianjin, China

Estudo exploratorio da qualidade do ar em escolas de educacao basica, Coimbra, Portugal

Health Impact of School Built Environment on Children

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