Association Between Markers of Classroom Environmental Conditions and Teachers' Respiratory Health

Abstract

Asthma, respiratory infections, colds, eye irritation, nasal congestion, and sore throat were associated with the classroom environment. Results indicate that the school environment could affect teachers' respiratory health. Further assessments are necessary to establish causation.

Educational building conditions and the health of users

“…Physiological health (H1) experienced such as cough, dizziness, cold, and running nose or eyes can be as a result of the presence of dust in the indoor environment. This is in accordance with Claudio et al, (2016) finding that dust induces cold, nasal congestion, and sore throat in occupants. Dust also induced psychological health hazards in occupants.…”

“…The findings of this study indicate that plumbing problems can cause eye irritation, respiratory infection and nasal congestion, which support the findings of Claudio, Rivera and Ramirez (2016). In educational institutions, the numbers of users utilizing the plumbing installations for daily life activities are large and diverse.…”

“…The dampness on the walls of the buildings results in unacceptable internal environmental conditions (Briffet 1994). In fact, an increase in the moisture content of buildings can also result in physiological health problems such as skin and eye irritation, cold, respiration infections and running nose (Putus, 2012;Claudio et al, 2016).…”

“…Diverse building related sickness such as headache, tiredness, fatique, cough, itching and burning eyes, runny nose and their related causes have been identified in the literature (Claudio et al, 2016;Putus, 2012;Vafaeenasah et al, 2015;Wong and Jan, 2003). For example, Claudio, Rivera, and Ramirez (2016) found that dust was associated with colds, nasal congestion and sore throats, while carpets induce the risk of having asthma and itchy eyes. Also, the result of their study showed that respiratory infections, eye irritation, nasal congestion and sore throats were associated with damaged water system or mold.…”

“…Defects in poorly maintained indoor environments have been linked to building related illnesses experienced by users. Building related illness such as headaches, skin irritation, memory loss, loss of concentration, blood pressure, pulse, brain activity, biorhythms and watering eyes/nose have been reported in several studies (Claudio et al, 2016;Gou and Lau, 2012;Tanner, 2000;Vafaeenasah et al, 2015;Wong and Jan, 2003). Putus (2012) and Agyekum et al (2013) have associated health problems experienced in buildings with low functionality of building facilities.…”