Semivolatile compounds in schools and their influence on cognitive performance of children.
OBJECTIVE
WHO's Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE) focuses on improvements of indoor environments where children spend most of their time. To investigate the relationship between school indoor air pollutants and cognitive performance in elementary school children, a multidisciplinary study was planned in all-day schools in Austria.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study (LuKi study: Air and Children) indoor air pollutants were monitored in nine elementary all-day schools in urban and rural regions of Austria. In addition, school dust and suspended particulates (PM10, PM2.5) were measured, focusing on semivolatile compounds (e.g. phthalates, phosphororganic compounds [POC]). Health status and environmental conditions were determined by parents' questionnaire, cognitive function was measured by Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM).


RESULTS
Overall, 596 children (6-8 years of age) were eligible for the study. Cognitive tests were performed in 436 children. Analysis showed significant correlations of tris(2-chlorethyl)-phosphate (TCEP) in PM10 and PM2.5 and school dust samples with cognitive performance. Cognitive performance decreased with increasing concentrations of TCEP. Furthermore, cognitive function decreased significantly with increasing CO2 levels.


CONCLUSIONS
POC are widely used as plasticizers, flame retardants and floor sealing. This is the first report of a correlation between TCEP in indoor air samples and impairment of cognitive performance in school children. As a precautionary measure, it is recommended to prohibit the use of toxic chemicals and those suspected of a toxic potential in children's environments such as schools.
Institute of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Hans-Peter
HP
Hutter
Daniela
D
Haluza
Kathrin
K
Piegler
Philipp
P
Hohenblum
Marina
M
Fröhlich
Sigrid
S
Scharf
Maria
M
Uhl
Bernhard
B
Damberger
Peter
P
Tappler
Michael
M
Kundi
Peter
P
Wallner
Hanns
H
Moshammer
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001317:Austria; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000633:toxicity; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010755:Organophosphates / Q000633:toxicity; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000633:toxicity; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000633:toxicity; D012424:Rural Population; D012574:Schools; D014505:Urban Population; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000633:toxicity
D010755:Organophosphates; D052638:Particulate Matter; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D002245:Carbon Dioxide