Indoor Air Quality in Schools and Health Symptoms among Portuguese Teachers

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Madureira, J (Author) Other; Alvim Ferraz, MCM (Author) Other; Rodrigues, S (Author) Other; Goncalves, C (Author) Other; Azevedo, MC (Author) Other; Pinto, E (Author) FFUP; Mayan, O (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Human and Ecological Risk Assessment (HERA)

Vol. 15

Pages: 159-169

ISSN: 1080-7039

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 53 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 63 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-Q8S

DOI: 10.1080/10807030802615881

Abstract (EN): The purpose of this study was: (i) to characterize the school indoor environment; (ii) to evaluate self-reported prevalence of disease symptoms among Portuguese teachers; and (iii) to evaluate, as far as we know for the first time in Portugal, the impact of the indoor air quality of schools on the prevalence of disease symptoms among teachers. The study was performed in the city of Oporto, starting in 2004; it included the analysis of questionnaires fulfilled by schoolteachers (n = 177), walkthrough surveys of schools grounds, buildings, and individual classrooms (n = 76), as well as indoor air monitoring. Respirable particle increase was related to chalk use and CO(2) concentrations widely exceeded reference values. Schools located near traffic lines presented higher benzene and toluene concentrations. The guideline for total viable microorganism concentration was exceeded in 35.6% of classrooms. Significant increases in disease symptoms among teachers could be related to poor indoor air quality, which was mainly due to inefficient ventilation and influence of traffic emissions. Statistically significant correlations were found between central nervous system injuries and the levels of CO(2) and total volatile organic compounds, and between upper respiratory problems and mucosal irritation and the levels of TVOC and respirable particles.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11