Environmental quality in sixty primary and secondary school classrooms in London

Journal of Building Engineering, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 91, С. 109549 - 109549

Опубликована: Май 7, 2024

Poor environmental quality in school classrooms can have a detrimental impact on children's health, nevertheless, the association between air pollutants and physical features of is poorly understood. We monitored particulate matter (PM), carbon dioxide (CO2) thermal comfort sixty across ten London primary schools using similar equipment to produce comparable dataset. The overall research objective was understand classroom with occupancy levels, floor types, locations, volume, ventilation types different year groups. Average in-classroom PM10 (29±20), PM2.5 (10±2) PM1 (5±2 μg m-3) during occupied hours were ∼150% (PM10) 110% (PM2.5) higher compared non-occupied hours. concentration reduced by 30% for dual (mechanical+natural) natural only; corresponding reduction slightly lower (28%) (20%). almost doubled wooden floored those having carpets. During high (>26 occupants), average CO2 (935±453 ppm) ∼140% than non-occupancy. younger children (reception one) ∼190% older (years eight nine). 68% exceeded recommended levels 40% relative humidity. Low concentrations coincided low all schools. These findings highlight importance simultaneously addressing both resuspension achieve comprehensive improvements quality. Classroom settings where indoor environment likely be compromised also identified addressed.

Язык: Английский

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The Role of Mechanical Ventilation in Indoor Air Quality in Schools: An Experimental Comprehensive Analysis

Buildings, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(6), С. 869 - 869

Опубликована: Март 11, 2025

Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays a vital role in supporting both the physical and mental well-being of individuals enclosed spaces, mechanical ventilation systems has gained increasing attention due to building design’s focus on energy efficiency thus airtight constructions. This study investigated pre–post effects installing heat recovery system (MVHR) indoor high school classroom Ferrara, Italy. The analysis focused experimental measurements temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), carbon dioxide (CO2) inside outside same classroom, which had constant occupancy (17 students) for an entire year, allowing comparison between natural ventilation. With comprehensive approach, particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon levels (Rn) were monitored as well, after installation MVHR. By comparing ventilation, highlights strengths limitations implemented, together with evaluation system’s consumption, including 2 kW post-heating battery. In terms results, MVHR demonstrated clear benefits managing CO2 improving sensory, olfactory, psychophysical well-being, well students. detail, under peak concentrations exceeded 4500 ppm, while kept them below 1500 ppm. average concentration during dropped from 2500 ppm around 1000 achieving 62% reduction. However, beneficial not observed other parameters, such PM2.5, VOCs, or radon. latter displayed annual values 21 Bq/m3 peaks reaching 56 Bq/m3.

Язык: Английский

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An overview of outdoor low-cost gas-phase air quality sensor deployments: current efforts, trends, and limitations

Atmospheric measurement techniques, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 17(21), С. 6425 - 6457

Опубликована: Ноя. 8, 2024

Abstract. We reviewed 60 sensor networks and 17 related efforts (sensor review papers data accessibility projects) to better understand the landscape of stationary low-cost gas-phase deployed in outdoor environments worldwide. This study is not exhaustive every network on globe but rather exists categorize types by their key characteristics explore general trends. also exposes gaps monitoring date, especially regarding availability measurements compared particulate matter (PM) geographic coverage (the Global South, rural areas). ground-based that measure air pollutants into two main subsets based deployment type – quasi-permanent (long term) campaign (short medium commonplace practices, strengths, weaknesses networks. conclude with a summary cross-network unification quality control efforts. work aims help scientists looking build best practices common pathways aid end users finding datasets meet needs.

Язык: Английский

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Validation of Dynamic Natural Ventilation Protocols for Optimal Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Adaptive Comfort during the Winter Season in Subtropical-Climate School Buildings

Applied Sciences, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 14(11), С. 4651 - 4651

Опубликована: Май 28, 2024

The need for energy-efficient buildings must be based on strong effective passive-design techniques, which coordinate indoor air quality and thermal comfort. This research describes the principles, simulation, implementation, monitoring of two different natural cross-ventilation algorithm scenarios applied to a school-building case study affected by subtropical climate during winter season. These ventilation protocols, steady dynamic versions, can control carbon dioxide concentration actuate window openings according pre-defined window-to-wall ratios. implementation process three non-consecutive days in 2021 validates opening strategy maintain below 800 ppm, described protocol Hygiene Measures Against COVID-19, temperature within comfort ranges suggested adaptive UNE-EN 16798. shows that 2.16% equivalent ratio enough requested conditions. use ratios, from 0.23% 2.16%, modified measured concentration, partially required limits ASHRAE 62.1, COVID-19 16798 between 48.28% 74.14% time. However, limit proposed RITE, 500 is only achieved 15.52% time, demonstrates inadequacy fulfil standard. Further improvements these could lead lower concentrations while maintaining mild climates.

Язык: Английский

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Integrated Analysis of Indoor Air Quality and Fungal Microbiota in Educational Heritage Buildings: Implications for Health and Sustainability

Sustainability, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 17(3), С. 1091 - 1091

Опубликована: Янв. 29, 2025

Indoor air quality is paramount for the health and well-being of individuals, especially in enclosed spaces like office buildings, schools, hospitals, homes where people spend a significant amount time. Ensuring good indoor not only essential reducing symptoms such as headaches, eye respiratory irritation, fatigue, difficulty concentration, but it also key component sustainable building practices aimed at promoting long-term environmental balance. This study aims to explore impact microclimate fungal microbiota on cognitive performance occupants university classroom, which part cultural heritage building. The research delves into various microclimatic parameters, including temperature, relative humidity, CO2, volatile organic compounds, O2, particulate matters (PM2.5 PM10), understand their influence development manifestation associated with Sick Building Syndrome. Over course year-long investigation, microbiological samples were collected, revealing presence 19 species, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Aureobasidium being most prevalent genera. These species found thrive an environment characterized by inadequate ventilation, posing potential risks occupants, allergic reactions infections. Microclimatic parameter values mean temperature 22.9 °C humidity 38.5% indicated moderate conditions proliferation, occasional high levels PM2.5 CO2 periods poor quality, negatively influencing comfort occupants. questionnaires completed 190 students showed that 51.5% reported 44.2% frequent sneezing, 43.7% severe linking these increased PM2.5. novelty lies integrated approach assessment educational building, highlighting need improved ventilation management enhance performance, while emphasizing balances occupant preservation heritage.

Язык: Английский

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Particulate matter concentrations in UK schools: A nationwide study into the influence of ambient PM2.5 and the resulting exposure potentials

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 970, С. 178875 - 178875

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Assessing end-user comfort: A Bayesian network approach for classroom performance prediction at university campus

Journal of Cleaner Production, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 145190 - 145190

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Energy in University Classrooms: Simplified Model to Predict Trade-Offs and Synergies

Sustainability, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 16(7), С. 2719 - 2719

Опубликована: Март 26, 2024

Students and educators spend significant time in learning spaces on university campuses. Energy efficiency has become a concern among facility managers, given the need to maintain acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ) levels during after COVID-19 pandemic. This paper investigates relationship between control extraneous variables classroom’s total mechanical ventilation (kWh). The model is built using Grasshopper software Rhino Version 7. Our methodology encompasses (1) an extensive review of recent trends for studying IAQ energy, (2) selecting parameters simulation, (3) configuration Grasshopper, finally, (4) formulation pertinent equation consolidate studied factors energy Central this study are two key research questions: What correlations exist various related occupancy educational spaces? And how can we optimize classrooms? main contribution generated representing annual consumption based selected classroom height, area, occupancy, window location, rate HVAC systems. We find that class volume most influential directly affecting consumption. serves as valuable estimation tool designers, campus operations investigate fluctuations influence physical attributes classroom. enables proactive decision-making, optimizing resource allocation real-time promote sustainable cost-effective operations.

Язык: Английский

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Assessing classroom ventilation rates using CO2 data from a nationwide study of UK schools and identifying school-wide correlation factors

Developments in the Built Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 19, С. 100520 - 100520

Опубликована: Авг. 12, 2024

Per-person ventilation rates were assessed from data measured in 322 UK schools throughout the Autumn term, 2023. It was found that overall mean rate 5.3 L s−1 p−1; rising to 6.8 p−1 during warmer weather and falling 3.8 colder weather. Daily CO2 levels recorded majority of consistently fell below 1500 ppm threshold within government school guidance but contribution relatively few very high some classrooms shows need for targeted improvement highlights value large-scale datasets. Exceedance rose approximately 20% when daily outdoor temperature around 5 °C, indicating a barrier ventilation. Controlling as covariate, analysis measurements indicated more-deprived regions, state-funded (relative private), secondary primary) exhibited statistically-significant higher concentration. Reassuringly, these findings remained unchanged deployed on estimated per-person rates; except this enhanced accounted greater production associated with older children demonstrated not significantly different between primary schools.

Язык: Английский

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Selection and evaluation of commercial low-cost devices for indoor air quality monitoring in schools

Journal of Building Engineering, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown, С. 110952 - 110952

Опубликована: Окт. 1, 2024

Язык: Английский

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