Investigation of indoor air quality at urban schools in Qatar

Abstract

Information about indoor conditions of classrooms in Qatari schools is very scarce and availability of indoor air quality (IAQ) data is important as children are vulnerable to health hazards and spend long times in classrooms. Therefore, IAQ was investigated in 16 mechanically ventilated schools in Qatar during the winter season. Parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matters (PM10 and PM2.5) were measured indoors and outdoors simultaneously. High indoor CO2 and PM concentrations were found in many classrooms and exceeded the ASHRAE standard and US-EPA air quality standards as there are currently no established IAQ standards in Qatar. The mean indoor CO2 concentration in all classrooms was 1776 ± 887 ppm with mean indoor/outdoor ratio of 3.89 ± 2.03. The mean indoor PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were 93.2 ± 42.4 µg/m3 and 60.1 ± 28.8 µg/m3, respectively. High indoor PM concentrations were found to be highly influenced by outdoor levels. Mean indoor/outdoor ratios for PM10 and PM2.5 in all classrooms were 0.87 ± 0.43 and 0.80 ± 0.34, respectively. The current study also identified many factors associated with increased indoor levels of PM. According to results of this study, some recommendations were suggested to reduce exposure of school children to high indoor levels of these pollutants as well as to provide comfortable learning environments.

Comparison of Indoor Air Quality in Schools: Urban vs. Industrial 'Oil & Gas' Zones in Akwa Ibom State – Nigeria

“…Over the years, several studies have been conducted with the aim of understanding indoor air quality of school environment across the world [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]26,[52][53][54][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63]. In a study, Tippayawong et al [62] found that the highest concentrations were measured for particles in the 0.3 -0.5 μm size range with an average value of 180 cm -3 while the lowest concentrations were measured in the 2.5 -5 μm size range with an average of 0.05 cm -3 .…”

“…Over the years, several research work has been published with respect to IAQ in schools in both developed and developing countries around the world [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. Some of the human health implications associated with PM pollutions in schools are as follows: higher susceptibility of children to environmental pollutants [24,25,26], higher inhalation rates per body mass [27,28], and longer time spent in schools [26,28]. Findings from several studies have identified different pollutant parameters that contribute to IAQ problems in some schools around the world.…”

“…Findings from several studies have identified different pollutant parameters that contribute to IAQ problems in some schools around the world. For example, high PM 10 and CO 2 levels in Porto, Portugal [12], Hong Kong [13] and Munich, Germany [14], Kosice, Slovakia [15], Qatari [26]; high mean concentrations of both PM 10 and PM 2.5 in Lahore, Pakistan [16]; higher mean indoor CO 2 concentration than the ASHRAE standards-62 [17] of 1000 ppm in Athens, Greece [18,19], and Serbia [20], or the CO 2 value established by Portuguese legislation [21]; high CH 2 O concentration emitted by building materials or furnishings in South Korea [22] and France [23]; and high average SO 2 concentrations in French schools [29].…”

Indoor air pollution and exposure assessment of the gulf cooperation council countries: A critical review

“…High indoor concentrations of 3442 ± 1710 mg/m 3 , 93.2 ± 42.4 μg/m 3 , and 60.1 ± 28.8 μg/m 3 were observed for CO 2 , PM 10 , and PM 2.5 , respectively. These exposure levels exceeded the international threshold limits (Table 2) as Qatar currently does not have IAQ standards (Abdel-Salam, 2017). In 2018, 24-h measurements of pupil's exposure to PM 2.5 , VOC, PAHs, and aldehydes were conducted in three classrooms, pupils' homes, and outdoor environments in Doha.…”

“…Hence, indoor air pollution poses a health threat to Qatari residents even in a building, where no major activities occur (e.g., smoke-free) (Al Mulla et al, 2015). This implies that infiltration from outdoor sources, mostly from dust storms, heavy traffic emissions, and industrial activities are the principal sources of indoor air pollution in Qatar (Abdel-Salam, 2017;Alfoldy, 2018).…”