title: Children's exposure to indoor air in urban nurseries-part I: CO₂ and comfort assessment.
abstract: Indoor air quality (IAQ) in nurseries is an emerging case-study. Thus, this study, as the Part I of the larger study "Children's exposure to indoor air in urban nurseries", aimed to: i) evaluate nurseries' indoor concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), a global IAQ indicator, in class and lunch rooms; ii) assess indoor comfort parameters-temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH); and iii) analyse them according to guidelines and references for IAQ, comfort and children's health. Indoor continuous measurements were performed. Non-compliances with guidelines were found in comfort parameters, which could cause discomfort situations and also microbial proliferation. Exceedances in CO2 concentrations were also found and they were caused by poor ventilation and high classroom occupation. More efficient ventilation and control of comfort parameters, as well as to reduce occupation by reviewing Portuguese legislation on that matter, would certainly improve IAQ and comfort in nurseries and consequently safeguard children's health.
authors: LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, E215, Porto, Portugal.
authors: P T B S
authors: PT
authors: Branco
authors: LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, E215, Porto, Portugal.
authors: M C M
authors: MC
authors: Alvim-Ferraz
authors: LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, E215, Porto, Portugal.
authors: F G
authors: FG
authors: Martins
authors: LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, E215, Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: sofia.sousa@fe.up.pt.
authors: S I V
authors: SI
authors: Sousa
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009724:Nurseries, Infant; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D002245:Carbon Dioxide
keywords: Children; Exposure; Health risk assessment; Indoor air; Nursery