RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether indoor air quality in schools is associated with the prevalence of allergic and respiratory diseases in children. METHODS: We evaluated 1,019 students at 51 elementary schools in the city of Coimbra, Portugal. We applied a questionnaire that included questions regarding the demographic, social, and behavioral characteristics of students, as well as the presence of smoking in the family. We also evaluated the indoor air quality in the schools. RESULTS: In the indoor air of the schools evaluated, we identified mean concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) above the maximum reference value, especially during the fall and winter. The CO2 concentration was sometimes as high as 1,942 ppm, implying a considerable health risk for the children. The most prevalent symptoms and respiratory diseases identified in the children were sneezing, rales, wheezing, rhinitis, and asthma. Other signs and symptoms, such as poor concentration, cough, headache, and irritation of mucous membranes, were identified. Lack of concentration was associated with CO2 concentrations above the maximum recommended level in indoor air (p = 0.002). There were no other significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the schools evaluated presented with reasonable air quality and thermal comfort. However, the concentrations of various pollutants, especially CO2, suggest the need for corrective interventions, such as reducing air pollutant sources and improving ventilation. There was a statistically significant association between lack of concentration in the children and exposure to high levels of CO2. The overall low level of pollution in the city of Coimbra might explain the lack of other significant associations.
Assuntos
Poluentes Atmosféricos/toxicidade , Poluição do Ar em Ambientes Fechados/efeitos adversos , Monitoramento Ambiental , Doenças Respiratórias/etiologia , Instituições Acadêmicas/estatística & dados numéricos , Poluentes Atmosféricos/análise , Poluição do Ar em Ambientes Fechados/análise , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Portugal/epidemiologia , Doenças Respiratórias/epidemiologia , Instituições Acadêmicas/normas , Estações do Ano , Estudantes , VentilaçãoRESUMO
Objective: To determine whether indoor air quality in schools is associated with the prevalence of allergic and respiratory diseases in children. Methods: We evaluated 1,019 students at 51 elementary schools in the city of Coimbra, Portugal. We applied a questionnaire that included questions regarding the demographic, social, and behavioral characteristics of students, as well as the presence of smoking in the family. We also evaluated the indoor air quality in the schools. Results: In the indoor air of the schools evaluated, we identified mean concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) above the maximum reference value, especially during the fall and winter. The CO2 concentration was sometimes as high as 1,942 ppm, implying a considerable health risk for the children. The most prevalent symptoms and respiratory diseases identified in the children were sneezing, rales, wheezing, rhinitis, and asthma. Other signs and symptoms, such as poor concentration, cough, headache, and irritation of mucous membranes, were identified. Lack of concentration was associated with CO2 concentrations above the maximum recommended level in indoor air (p = 0.002). There were no other significant associations. Conclusions: Most of the schools evaluated presented with reasonable air quality and thermal comfort. However, the concentrations of various pollutants, especially CO2, suggest the need for corrective interventions, such as reducing air pollutant sources and improving ventilation. There was a statistically significant association between lack of concentration in the children and exposure to high levels of CO2. The overall low level of pollution in the city of Coimbra might explain the lack of other significant associations. .
Objetivo: Determinar se há uma associação entre a qualidade do ar interno em escolas e a prevalência de patologias alérgicas e respiratórias nas crianças que as frequentam. Métodos: Foram avaliados 1.019 alunos de 51 escolas de ensino básico na cidade de Coimbra, Portugal. A avaliação foi realizada através de um questionário com questões referentes a características demográficas, sociais e comportamentais dos alunos, assim como presença de hábitos tabágicos na família. Foi ainda avaliada a qualidade do ar interno nas escolas. Resultados: Foram identificadas concentrações médias de dióxido de carbono (CO2) no interior das salas de aula acima da concentração máxima de referência, principalmente no período de outono/inverno, chegando a valores de 1.942 ppm, o que implica elevado risco potencial para a saúde das crianças. Os sintomas/patologias respiratórias mais prevalentes nas crianças foram crises de espirros, rinite alérgica, estertores/sibilos e asma. Outros sinais e sintomas verificados foram falta de concentração, tosse, dores de cabeça e irritação das mucosas. A falta de concentração das crianças foi associada ao ar interno das salas de aula com valores acima do máximo recomendado para CO2 (p = 0,002). Não houve outras associações significativas. Conclusões: A maioria das escolas estudadas apresentava razoável qualidade do ar e conforto térmico, embora a concentração de vários poluentes, sobretudo CO2, sugere a necessidade de intervenções corretivas, como redução de fontes emissoras de poluentes e melhorias da ventilação. Houve uma associação estatisticamente significativa entre a falta de concentração nas crianças ...