Journal
HELIYON
Volume 8, Issue 5, Pages -Publisher
CELL PRESS
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09354
Keywords
Indoor air quality; School; Environmental pollutants; Sensors; Exposome; COVID-19 measures
Categories
Funding
- European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (EXPOSOGAS project) [810995]
- European Union
- Republic of Cyprus through the Research and Innovation Foundation [PRE-SEED/0719/0148, SEED COVID/0420/0026]
- Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation [RESTART 2016-2020/I]
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The School Temperature and Environmental Pollutants Study (STEPS) aimed to assess indoor air quality in primary schools in densely and intermediate populated areas of Cyprus. The study found that indoor PM, temperature, humidity, and VOCs increased during school hours, while indoor CO2 decreased. Most of the time, indoor air temperature exceeded the recommended upper limit, and a third of indoor PM2.5 measurements exceeded the standard.
Combined pollutant effects from indoor and outdoor sources on children's health, while being at school have not been holistically tackled. The aim of the School Temperature and Environmental Pollutants Study (STEPS) was to perform a school population representative assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ) in primary schools of densely and intermediate populated areas of Cyprus (n = 42). The study took place during May-July 2021 when a school-specific COVID-19 protocol was in place. Questionnaire-based characteristics of schools/classrooms were collected along with 24/48-h long IAQ monitoring of air temperature, relative humidity (RH), particulate matter (PM), carbon dioxide (CO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), using low-cost sensors. Mixed effect models assessed the IAQ determinants during school hours. Indoor PM, temperature, RH and VOCs increased with progressing school periods in the day, while indoor CO2 decreased. Indoor RH and CO2 were negatively associated with % open windows, while indoor PM2.5 was positively associated. Most of school time (85%), indoor air temperature exceeded the recommended upper limit (27 ?), while a third of indoor PM2.5 (24-h) measurements exceeded 15 mu g/m3. The interplay of clean indoor air with adequate ventilation and adaptation to heat stress in schools is important and its comprehensive characterization requires holistic methodological approaches and tools.
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