Air Quality Assessment of a School in an Industrialized Area of Southern Italy

Abstract

In this study, simultaneous monitoring of indoor and outdoor Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) was carried out in a school, by both Radiello® cartridges and real-time monitors (Corvus, IonScience Ltd., Fowlmere UK). Moreover, an outdoor air quality assessment was performed with data from an air quality monitoring station (ARPA Puglia) located close to the school. In particular, VOCs, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xilenes concentrations, obtained by using Radiello® diffusive samplers, were monitored in two classrooms, two bathrooms, and outside of the school building for three weeks during winter 2019. Simultaneously, the Total VOC (TVOC) concentrations were measured by means of real-time monitors inside and outside the classroom in order to individuate the activation of sources during the sampling campaign days. The results evidence that indoor TVOC concentrations were bigger than those outdoors; this suggests the presence of indoor pollutant sources, both in the classrooms and the bathrooms. The results of our study can help the school management by the following recommendations: increasing ventilation in classrooms during school activities and after cleaning; involving students in discussions regarding the use of acrylic paints, permanent markers, perfumes and deodorants, and the limitation of smoking activities both in bathrooms and outdoor spaces.

Evaluation of indoor environmental conditions in the Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine dei Miracoli

“…Compared to other similar studies conducted in museums [4,15], lower concentration levels of all BTEX were found in this work. The values observed are more in line with the ones observed in other indoor spaces, such as schools [16].…”

Evaluation of the concentration of harmful air pollutants in a cultural heritage site by passive sampling

“…Indeed, benzene concentrations in indoor environments are much higher than those recorded in the outdoor ones, becoming close to the annual average regulatory limit (5 g/m 3 ) of Italian law [34]. It is worth noting that on the base of benzene/toluene (B/T) ratio it is possible to make some hypotheses on possible sources for these pollutants [35]. In outdoor environments this ratio is lower than 1, indicating that sources of BTEX are industrial activities and vehicular traffic.…”

Preliminary Air Quality and Microclimatic Conditions Study in the Santuario della Beata Vergine dei Miracoli in Saronno (VA)

“…The amount of data regarding their possible effects on cultural heritage, both in the literature and in legislative documents, is lacking. However, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including BTEX are known to have multiple outdoor and indoor sources [ 22 ] and diagnostic ratios between the different species are useful to establish the most probable sources of pollution [ 21 ]. The preliminary results of this campaign show similar concentrations of benzene and toluene (1.6 and 1.7 µg m −3 , respectively), while measurable amounts of ethylbenzene and xylenes were not observed.…”

“…Instead, volatile organic compounds represent an extremely diverse class of compounds, both of primary and secondary origin, with numerous outdoor and indoor sources [ 21 ]. Amongst the VOCs, BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) are the compounds that are usually found in greater concentrations, especially in highly polluted areas [ 22 ]. They typically share common sources, the most important being combustion processes and industrial emissions [ 23 ].…”