Indoor Air Quality in Primary Schools and in Homes and its Impact on Children's Health - Study Design

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2012

Authors

Madureira, J (Author) Other; Paciencia, I (Author) Other; Ramos E (Author) FMUP; Barros H (Author) FMUP; de Oliveira Fernandes, ED (Author) Other

Conference proceedings International

Title: Occupational Safety and Hygiene - SHO 2012

Pages: 344-349

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-005-KDP

Abstract (EN): Children spend most of their time indoors, basically at home and at the school. Beyond the fact that children are particularly vulnerable to indoor air pollution scientific evidence shows that exposure to poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute towards short and long-term health problems including asthma, allergic reactions and respiratory tract infections. The main objective of this study is to make a contribution towards the understanding of the effect on children's health of the exposure to indoor air in schools taking into account also the contribution of the home environment. It aims at to respond to the question: what is the health effect on children of ages 8 -10 of the indoor air quality in schools considering also the effect of the "historic" exposure to indoor air at home. To achieve that objective, a large survey on indoor air quality in schools and homes and on the health related outcomes is set up in Porto, Portugal, from November 2011 to March 2013. The target population involves 20 public primary schools, 420 houses and 1600 children's. The study includes: a) measurements on priority indoor air quality parameters: specific volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, radon, temperature, relative humidity, ventilation rate and biological agents; b) a checklist for the physical characterization of buildings and indoor spaces and description of occupants' time daily activities; c) three health questionnaires and d) several clinical tests and biomarkers. The data gathered will allow for the undertaking of the risk assessment and risk management related to the exposure to indoor air pollution and will contribute to support public health policies and prevention strategies, good practices regarding building design, construction and management as well as maintenance and day-by-day use. This paper describes the study design involved in this survey.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6