Indoor Air Quality and Bioaerosols in Spanish University Classrooms
Esther Fuentes-Ferragud,
Antonio López,
Juan Miguel Piera,
Vicent Yusà,
Salvador Garrigues,
Miguel de la Guardia,
F. Xavier López Labrador,
Marisa Camaró,
María Ibáñez,
Clara Coscollà
Affiliations
Esther Fuentes-Ferragud
Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencia Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020 Valencia, Spain
Antonio López
Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencia Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020 Valencia, Spain
Juan Miguel Piera
Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencia Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020 Valencia, Spain
Vicent Yusà
Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencia Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020 Valencia, Spain
Salvador Garrigues
Analytical Chemistry Department, University of Valencia, Edifici Jeroni Muñoz, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
Miguel de la Guardia
Analytical Chemistry Department, University of Valencia, Edifici Jeroni Muñoz, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
F. Xavier López Labrador
Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencia Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020 Valencia, Spain
Marisa Camaró
Public Health Laboratory of Valencia, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020 Valencia, Spain
María Ibáñez
Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, S/N, Avenida Sos Baynat, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
Clara Coscollà
Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencia Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020 Valencia, Spain
A comprehensive study assessed indoor air quality parameters, focusing on relevant air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), gaseous compounds (CO, CO2, formaldehyde, NO2) and volatile/semi-volatile organic chemicals, as well as respiratory viruses (including SARS-CoV-2), fungi and bacteria in Spanish university classrooms. Non-target screening strategies evaluated the presence of organic pollutants inside and outside the classrooms. Saliva samples from teachers and students were collected to explore correlations between respiratory viruses in the air and biological samples. Indoor results revealed the punctual exceedance of recommended guidelines for CO2, formaldehyde (HCHO), volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and PM in the least naturally ventilated classrooms. Significant differences occurred between the classes, with the least ventilated one showing higher average concentrations of CO2, HCHO, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5. A respiratory virus (rhinovirus/enterovirus) was detected in the medium naturally ventilated classroom, although saliva samples tested negative. Suspect screening tentatively identified 65 substances indoors and over 200 outdoors, with approximately half reporting a high toxicological risk based on the Cramer rules. The study provides a comprehensive overview of indoor air quality, respiratory viruses and organic pollutants in university classrooms, highlighting the variations and potential health risks associated with ventilation differences.
