Pena, PedroCervantes, RenataViegas, Carla2024-04-222024-04-222023-07Pena P, Cervantes R, Viegas C. Sampling elementary schools: a comprehensive approach for microbial indoor air quality assessment. In: V H&TRC Bootcamp 2023, Caldas da Rainha, 10 de julho de 2023.http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/17346This work is supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, 2023.01366.BD; UI/BD/153746/2022 and CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/00329/2020); UI/BD/151431/2021 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UI/BD/151431/2021); and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M; IPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSL; and IPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSL.Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important determinant of children’s health since children spend around 90 % of their time in the indoor environment. In schools, children may be exposed to bioaerosols (such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi), in their classrooms, libraries, canteen, gymnasiums/sports hall, and toilets. Portugal only established protection thresholds and reference conditions for indoor air pollution in commercial and service buildings and assessment methodology through Portaria n.º 138-G/2021, neglecting schools as a specific indoor environment. This project aims to apply a multi-approach protocol (sampling and assays), to assess microbial contamination (bacteria and fungi) in Portuguese elementary schools and to suggest guidance for exposure assessors from the field to the lab.engEnvironmental healthExposure assessmentSchoolsChildrenAir qualityIndoor airPortugalIPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12MIPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSLIPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSLIPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSLconference object