Article

Comprehensive analysis of classroom microclimate in context to health-related national and international indoor air quality standards

Tudor CacioraDepartment of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, Faculty of Geography, Tourism and Sport, University of Oradea, Oradea, RomaniaAlexandru IlieșDepartment of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, Faculty of Geography, Tourism and Sport, University of Oradea, Oradea, RomaniaЖарас БерденовFaculty of Science, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Nur-Sultan, KazakhstanHadeel Sa'ad Al-HyariSchool of Business Administration, Al-Balqa Applied University, Salt, JordanDorina Camelia IlieșDepartment of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, Faculty of Geography, Tourism and Sport, University of Oradea, Oradea, RomaniaBahodirhon SafarovDepartment of Digital Economy, Samarkand State University, Samarkand, UzbekistanThowayeb H. HassanSocial Studies Department, College of Arts, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi ArabiaGrigore Vasile HermanDepartment of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, Faculty of Geography, Tourism and Sport, University of Oradea, Oradea, RomaniaNicolaie HodorFaculty of Geography, "Babes-Bolyai" University, Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaBahadur Anver BILALOVDepartment of Tourism Business, Azerbaijan University of Tourism and Management, Baku, AzerbaijanAna Cornelia PereșFaculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania

Frontiers in Public Healthjournal2024en

ABI

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) and indoor air pollution are critical issues impacting urban environments, significantly affecting the quality of life. Nowadays, poor IAQ is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, allergic reactions, and cognitive impairments, particularly in settings like classrooms. Thus, this study investigates the impact of indoor environmental quality on student health in a university classroom over a year, using various sensors to measure 19 environmental parameters, including temperature, relative humidity, CO 2 , CO, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), and other pollutants. Thus, the aim of the study is to analyze the implications of the indoor microclimate for the health of individuals working in the classroom, as well as its implications for educational outcomes. The data revealed frequent exceedances of international standards for formaldehyde (HCHO), VOC, PM 2.5 , NO, and NO 2 . HCHO and VOCs levels, often originating from building materials and classroom activities, were notably high. PM 2.5 levels exceeded both annual and daily standards, while NO and NO 2 levels, possibly influenced by inadequate ventilation, also surpassed recommended limits. Even though there were numerous exceedances of current international standards, the indoor microclimate quality index (IMQI) score indicated a generally good indoor environment, remaining mostly between 0 and 50 for this indicator. Additionally, analyses indicate a high probability that some indicators will exceed the current standards, and their values are expected to trend upwards in the future. The study highlighted the need for better ventilation and pollutant control in classrooms to ensure a healthy learning environment. Frequent exceedances of pollutant standards can suggest a significant impact on student health and academic performance. Thus, the present study underscored the importance of continuous monitoring and proactive measures to maintain optimal indoor air quality.

Topics

Air Quality and Health Impacts Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting

Identifiers

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1440376

Citations and references

Cited by 3 86 references

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