Determination of Selected Pollutants and Measurement of Physical Parameters for the Evaluation of Indoor Air Quality in School Buildings in Athens, Greece

Abstract

The objectives of this paper were to characterise the indoor air quality in 20 naturally ventilated classrooms at 10 different public schools in Athens, to compare the measured concentrations with the established standards and to propose measures to improve air quality. Carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), and formaldehyde were determined simultaneously and temperature, relative humidity and noise were measured. Temperature and relative humidity were within ‘comfort ranges’ in almost all classrooms. The noise level was too high both in classrooms (61 dBA) and outdoors (77 dBA). CO₂concentrations exceeded 1,800 mg·m^–3, suggesting inadequate ventilation in 75% of classrooms, CO and NO₂ were at levels that posed no health threats. TVOC concentrations were found to be <1 mg·m^–3, except in renovated buildings, and formaldehyde levels were >0.1 mg·m^–3 in 92% of classrooms.

PM10, O3, CO Concentrations and Elemental Analysis of Airborne Particles in a School Building

“…Data on air quality in schools are needed, since young people spend a large part of their time in school buildings and are assumed to be more vulnerable to health hazards. Bad air quality in school buildings can be of critical importance for the comfort, performance and mainly for the health of the students and stuff (Siskos et al 2001).…”

Optimization of an Air-PCM heat exchanger and elaboration of peak power reduction strategies

“…occupants are considered to exhale CO 2 when present in the building, augmenting the initial non polluted concentration of 400 parts per million (ppm). Augmented CO 2 concentration has been linked to health problems (drowsiness, headaches, lethargy) and lower productivity levels [17]. Extremely high CO 2 concentration during long exposure periods can be lethal.…”

Has the Indoor and Built Environment Started Changing Modern Health?

“…Many researchers have examined living in the built environment in association with exposure to toxicants, but have not readily included life-style or associated resultant outcomes which, for example, might include type II diabetes [7][8][9]. Extending this argument: it could be that those with type II diabetes are spending more time indoors than outdoors resulting in modification, most likely an exacerbation, of the diabetic condition.…”

“…How any such interrelationship between diabetes and exposure related to additional time spent indoors can be correlated or, indeed, related to future disease outcome is at present unknown. We have to accept that little is known about the effects on people of their indoor environment and associated conditions, especially when considering a combination of this trio of inactivity, physical factors and pollutants as multiple/interactive factors [ 1,9]. This is due, in part, because of the rapidity of change in recent times and the expansion of our modern society that have occurred alongside the increase of several chronic diseases including asthma, diabetes and obesity.…”