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Indoor Air Quality in Urban and Rural Preschools in Upper Silesia, Poland: Particulate Matter and Carbon Dioxide

Author

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  • Anna Mainka

    (Department of Air Protection, Silesian University of Technology, 22B Konarskiego St., 44-100 Gliwice, Poland)

  • Elwira Zajusz-Zubek

    (Department of Air Protection, Silesian University of Technology, 22B Konarskiego St., 44-100 Gliwice, Poland)

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in preschools is an important public health challenge. Particular attention should be paid to younger children, because they are more vulnerable to air pollution than higher grade children and because they spend more time indoors. Among air pollutants, particulate matter (PM) is of the greatest interest mainly due to its acute and chronic effects on children’s health. In addition, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) levels indicate ventilation conditions. In this paper, we present the concentrations of PM (PM 1 , PM 2.5 , PM 10 and total—TSP) and CO 2 monitored in four naturally ventilated nursery schools located in the area of Gliwice, Poland. The nursery schools were selected to characterize areas with different degrees of urbanization and traffic densities during the winter season. The results indicate the problem of elevated concentrations of PM inside the examined classrooms, as well as that of high levels of CO 2 exceeding 1000 ppm in relation to outdoor air. The characteristics of IAQ were significantly different, both in terms of classroom occupation (younger or older children) and of localization (urban or rural). To evaluate the children’s exposure to poor IAQ, indicators based on air quality guidelines were proposed to rank classrooms according to their hazard on the health of children.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Mainka & Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, 2015. "Indoor Air Quality in Urban and Rural Preschools in Upper Silesia, Poland: Particulate Matter and Carbon Dioxide," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:7:p:7697-7711:d:52240
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gianluigi De Gennaro & Genoveffa Farella & Annalisa Marzocca & Antonio Mazzone & Maria Tutino, 2013. "Indoor and Outdoor Monitoring of Volatile Organic Compounds in School Buildings: Indicators Based on Health Risk Assessment to Single out Critical Issues," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-19, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Patrycja Rogula-Kopiec & Wioletta Rogula-Kozłowska & Grzegorz Majewski, 2022. "Particulate Matter Concentration in Selected Facilities as an Indicator of Exposure to Their Service Activities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Juliana P. Sá & Pedro T. B. S. Branco & Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz & Fernando G. Martins & Sofia I. V. Sousa, 2017. "Evaluation of Low-Cost Mitigation Measures Implemented to Improve Air Quality in Nursery and Primary Schools," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Oyewale Mayowa Morakinyo & Matlou Ingrid Mokgobu & Murembiwa Stanley Mukhola & Tshifhiwa Godobedzha, 2019. "Biological Composition of Respirable Particulate Matter in an Industrial Vicinity in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-14, February.
    4. Wojciech Nazar & Marek Niedoszytko, 2022. "Air Pollution in Poland: A 2022 Narrative Review with Focus on Respiratory Diseases," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-20, January.

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