Comparing the effectiveness of interventions to improve ventilation behavior in primary schools

Geelen, L.; Huijbregts, Mark A. J.; Ragas, A.M.J.; Bretveld, Reini; Jans, Henk W.A.; Doorn, W. J. Van; Evertz, S J C J; Zijden, A van der

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0668.2008.00542.x

Cited by 49 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Based on CO 2 levels, inadequate ventilation appears to be a common IAQ problem encountered in the studied classrooms, reinforcing earlier studies (Geelen et al., ; Madureira et al., ; Mumovic et al., ; Pegas et al., ). Based on a 1000 ppm CO 2 limit (ASHRAE 62‐2001, 2001) and using school‐day averages, 86% of the classrooms were inadequately ventilated.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Indoor air quality in Portuguese schools: levels and sources of pollutants

Paciência²,

et al. 2015

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Indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters in 73 primary classrooms in Porto were examined for the purpose of assessing levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, particulate matter, ventilation rates and bioaerosols within and between schools, and potential sources. Levels of VOCs, aldehydes, PM 2.5 , PM 10 , bacteria and fungi, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), carbon monoxide, temperature and relative humidity were measured indoors and outdoors and a walkthrough survey was performed concurrently. Ventilation rates were derived from CO 2 and occupancy data. Concentrations of CO 2 exceeding 1000 ppm were often encountered, indicating poor ventilation. Most VOCs had low concentrations (median of individual species <5 lg/m 3 ) and were below the respective WHO guidelines. Concentrations of particulate matter and culturable bacteria were frequently higher than guidelines/reference values. The variability of VOCs, aldehydes, bioaerosol concentrations, and CO 2 levels between schools exceeded the variability within schools. These findings indicate that IAQ problems may persist in classrooms where pollutant sources exist and classrooms are poorly ventilated; source control strategies (related to building location, occupant behavior, maintenance/cleaning activities) are deemed to be the most reliable for the prevention of adverse health consequences in children in schools. Practical ImplicationsThis study provides quantitative assessment for a large set of indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters in public primary classrooms together with information regarding potential building-wide contamination sources. Elevated levels of CO 2 , PM 2.5 , PM 10 and bacteria may be associated with outdoor pollution sources, occupant behavior, maintenance/ cleaning activities and poor ventilation. IAQ investigations often include air sampling, which must be carefully conducted if representative data are to be collected. To better understand sampling results, investigators need to account for the variability of contaminants both within and between schools. These findings are of relevance to public health due to the very large population of exposed school children, especially since attendance in primary schools is compulsory and asthma and allergy are very common diseases in childhood. These data may be useful for assessing health effects of exposure, for understanding the underlying mechanisms and for implementing preventive policies in terms of standards and guidelines.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Indoor air quality in Portuguese schools: levels and sources of pollutants

Paciência²,

et al. 2015

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“…Based on CO 2 levels, inadequate ventilation appears to be a common IAQ problem encountered in the studied classrooms, reinforcing earlier studies [4,18,20,47,48]. Based on a 1000 ppm CO 2 limit [46] and using school-day averages, 86% of the classrooms were inadequately ventilated.…”

Section: Levels and Source Apportionment Of Co 2 Pm 10 And Vocssupporting

confidence: 67%

Source apportionment of CO2, PM10 and VOCs levels and health risk assessment in naturally ventilated primary schools in Porto, Portugal

Madureira

Paciência

Rufo

et al. 2016

Building and Environment

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a b s t r a c tChildren are by far more susceptible to the negative effects of air pollutants than adults. Building-level characteristics are structural factors largely beyond the control of those who live in them. Yet, there are gaps in understanding of the relationship of school building characteristics and/or occupant behaviour and indoor air parameters with implications for health and well-being.The aims of the study were to investigate the potential sources of CO 2 , PM 10 and volatile organic compound (VOCs) in naturally ventilated primary schools and to assess the potential health hazards of PM 10 on schoolchildren.CO 2 and PM 10 levels were determined in seventy three classrooms located in Porto city over a period of 8 h using low-drift NDIR sensors and light-scattering laser photometers, respectively. The VOCs samples were collected over 5-days in Tenax TA tubes and then analysed by gas chromatography coupled mass spectrometry.Principal component analysis revealed the influence of activities or building features as major sources of indoor CO 2 , PM 10 and VOCs associated to the reduced airing of the classrooms which underlines the influence of indoor sources, occupant behaviour and maintenance/cleaning activities in schools and the high density of occupants.The hazard quotient calculated based on the formula suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency is higher than the acceptable level of 1; being for children almost twelve times higher than the safe level. This indicates that the inhalation exposure to PM 10 by children and adults occupying the school environment is not negligible.

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“…Several studies have monitored indoor air concentrations of gaseous compounds (Stranger et al, 2007), particles (Branis et al, 2005;Fromme et al, 2007Fromme et al, , 2008Tran et al, 2012Tran et al, , 2014, semi-volatile organic compounds (Lim et al, 2014;Wu et al, 2010), and allergens (Salo et al, 2009). Other studies have investigated outdoor air contributions Blondeau et al, 2005;Madureira et al, 2012), the role of different ventilation strategies (Geelen et al, 2008;Guo et al, 2008;Rosbach et al, 2013;Santamouris et al, 2008) and the relationships with student health (Daisey et al, 2003;Mendell et al, 2013;Simoni et al, 2011) and performance (Bak o-Bir o et al, 2012;Haverinen-Shaughnessy et al, 2011;Shendell et al, 2004;Twardella et al, 2012;Wargocki and Wyon, 2007). Few studies have reported correlations between ventilation and IAQ in schools.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of ventilation and indoor air pollutants in nursery and elementary schools in France

et al. 2015

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The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and ventilation in French classrooms. Various parameters were measured over one school week, including volatile organic compounds, aldehydes, particulate matter (PM2.5 mass concentration and number concentration), carbon dioxide (CO2 ), air temperature, and relative humidity in 51 classrooms at 17 schools. The ventilation was characterized by several indicators, such as the air exchange rate, ventilation rate (VR), and air stuffiness index (ICONE), that are linked to indoor CO2 concentration. The influences of the season (heating or non-heating), type of school (nursery or elementary), and ventilation on the IAQ were studied. Based on the minimum value of 4.2 l/s per person required by the French legislation for mechanically ventilated classrooms, 91% of the classrooms had insufficient ventilation. The VR was significantly higher in mechanically ventilated classrooms compared with naturally ventilated rooms. The correlations between IAQ and ventilation vary according to the location of the primary source of each pollutant (outdoor vs. indoor), and for an indoor source, whether it is associated with occupant activity or continuous emission.

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Comparing the effectiveness of interventions to improve ventilation behavior in primary schools

Cited by 49 publications

References 22 publications

Indoor air quality in Portuguese schools: levels and sources of pollutants

Indoor air quality in Portuguese schools: levels and sources of pollutants

Source apportionment of CO2, PM10 and VOCs levels and health risk assessment in naturally ventilated primary schools in Porto, Portugal

Assessment of ventilation and indoor air pollutants in nursery and elementary schools in France

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