The Way of Usage and Location in a Big City Agglomeration as Impact Factors of the Nurseries Indoor Air Quality

The quality of outdoor air in many places, especially in urbanized areas, is bad; therefore, a series of studies aimed at assessing the impact of outdoor air parameters on indoor air quality was conducted. Four nurseries (three buildings) located in different parts of Poznan, Poland were selected as research sites. During the research period, the concentrations of CO2, PM2.5, and PM10 inside and outside the buildings over time were analyzed. Measurements outside the buildings were supplemented with an analysis of traffic near nurseries and an assessment of pollutant emissions from vehicles of various categories. Measurements were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in a weekly series during winter (December)-(W), spring (April)-(S), and at the end of spring (June)-(LS). Testing and analyses indicated poor indoor air quality in three out of four nurseries. To ensure indoor air quality at the proper level, it is necessary to supply rooms with outside air. Ventilating rooms by airing, when the outside air is polluted, reduces the CO2 concentration but worsens the indoor air quality in terms of particulate matter (PM). Seasonality in the concentration of particulate matter in outdoor air and its connection with the outside air temperature was noticed. No relationship between traffic and the values of PM10 and CO2 concentrations inside nurseries was observed.

Automated summary

The study found that the indoor air quality in three out of four nurseries in Poznan was poor and needed improvement by supplying outside air. Ventilating rooms when the outside air is polluted can reduce CO2 concentration but worsen indoor particulate matter levels.