Original scientific paper
SCHOOL CHILDREN EXPOSURE TO LOW INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN CLASSROOMS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: RESULTS OF A PILOT STUDY
Aida Kulo
; Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sanela Klarić
; Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Science, International BURCH University, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Asja Ćetković
; Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Amina Blekić
; Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Jasna Kusturica
; Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nadir Spahić
; Faculty of Engineering and Natural Science, International BURCH University, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Armin Šljivo
; Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Damir Šečić
; Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Abstract
Background: Indoor air quality (IAQ) in classrooms affects children’s health and academic performance. The aim of this pilot study was to determine IAQ in elementary schools different in their internal and external characteristics, in settings of COVID-19 epidemics.
Methods: IAQ parameters: fine particulate matter (PM2,5) mass concentration, CO2 concentration, temperature and relative humidity were measured in parallel in four elementary schools/classrooms during October (non-heating season) and four months (including holiday in January) of heating season. IAQ parameters were measured in settings of anti-epidemic restrictions (≤13 students in classroom, frequent ventilation).
Results: During October, except in one school, PM2,5 concentrations were below the upper recommended value (25μg/m³), but started rising in all schools in the heating season. The highest concentrations of PM2,5 were registered in two schools with closed or shortly opened windows. CO2 concentrations were mostly in the recommended range (up to 1000ppm) except in the school with constantly closed windows and in three schools in February when concentrations were higher. Except in one, the same school, and in January, both temperature and relative humidity were out of the recommended range (24,0–27,0°C in non-heating; 20,0–24,0°C in heating season; and 45–55%), with temperature mainly above and relative humidity mainly below it in three schools. The largest deviation in temperature and relative humidity were registered in urban schools. Registered differences may be explained by different internal and external characteristics.
Conclusion: Despite anti-epidemic restrictions, most of the measured IAQ parameters were out of the recommended values in heating season. In addition, further deterioration of IAQ could be expected if all students had been presented in the classroom. Finally, to assure a healthy school environment in heating season, further optimisation of both indoor and outdoor conditions is needed in both pandemic and non-pandemic settings.
Keywords
Indoor air quality; classroom; green building certification; health; Covid-19
Hrčak ID:
257611
URI
Publication date:
19.5.2021.
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