Indoor air quality in primary schools

Clean air is a basic requirement of life. The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has been the object of several studies due to an increasing concern within the scientific community on the effects of indoor air quality upon health, especially as people tend to spend more time indoors than outdoors. The quality of air inside homes, offices, schools or other private and public buildings is an essential determinant of healthy life and people’s well-being. People can be exposed to contaminants by inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact. In the past, scientists have paid much attention to the study of exposure to outdoor air contaminants, because they have realised the seriousness of outdoor air pollution problems. However, each indoor microenvironment has unique characteristics, determined by the local outdoor air, specific building characteristics and indoor activities. Indeed, hazardous substances are emitted from buildings, construction materials and indoor equipment or due to human activities indoors.

Keywords

Saúde ambiental Poluição do ar Qualidade do ar interior Meio escolar Environmental health Air pollution Indoor air quality Classroom

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/1076

Citation

Freitas MC, Canha N, Martinho M, Almeida-Silva M, Almeida SM, Pegas P, Alves C, Pio C, Trancoso M, Sousa R, Mouro F, Contreiras T. Indoor air quality in primary schools. In Moldoveanu AM, editor. Advanced topics in environmental health and air pollution case studies. InTech; 2011. p. 361-84.