Química Nova (Jan 2010)

Outdoor/indoor air quality in primary schools in Lisbon: a preliminary study

  • Priscilla Nascimento Pegas,
  • Margarita G. Evtyugina,
  • Célia A. Alves,
  • Teresa Nunes,
  • Mário Cerqueira,
  • Mariana Franchi,
  • Casimiro Pio,
  • Susana Marta Almeida,
  • Maria do Carmo Freitas

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422010000500027
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 33, no. 5
pp. 1145 – 1149

Abstract

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Simultaneous measurements of outdoor and indoor pollution were performed at three schools in Lisbon. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde and NO2 were passively monitored over a two-week period. Bacterial and fungal colony-forming units and comfort parameters were also monitored at classrooms and playgrounds. The highest indoor levels of CO2 (2666 μg/m³), NO2 (40.3 μg/m³), VOCs (10.3 μg/m³), formaldehyde (1.03 μg/m³) and bioaerosols (1634 CFU/m³), and some indoor/outdoor ratios greater than unity, suggest that indoor sources and building conditions might have negative effects on air indoors. Increasing ventilation rates and use of low-emission materials would contribute towards improving indoor air quality.

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