title: Evaluation of some physical hazards which may affect health in primary schools.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed with the objective to determine the levels of some physical hazards in primary schools.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a cross-sectional field survey. In this study which was conducted in 31 primary schools selected by appropriate sampling from the district of Keçiören of the province of Ankara, measurements related with temperature, light, electromagnetic field (EMF) and noise levels were done at hundreds of points. Approval was obtained from Gülhane Military Medical Faculty Ethics Committee (2007/97).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 47.1% of the classes had a temperature value within the recommended limits (20-21°C). It was found that the illumination levels in 96.8% of the schools were above the standard values. However, the levels of illumination were found to be statistically significantly decreased towards the door and the back line (p<0.05). It was found that electromagnetic field levels were significantly higher in the schools who had a source of electromagnetic field nearby compared to the schools who did not have such a source nearby (p<0.001). It was found that the electromagnetic field levels in computer classes were statistically significantly higher compared to the other classes (p<0.001). Noise levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in classes which had 35 and more students (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in schools near intensive vehicle traffic in terms of noise levels (62.8±5.0 (n=72), 62.0±6.4 (n=79), respectively, p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was found that primary schools in the region of Keçiören had aspects which had to be improved in terms of building age, building location, brightness, electromagnetic field and noise levels. School health programs directed to improve negative enviromental factors should be developed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Gülhane Military Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bilal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bakır
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Gülhane Military Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa Alparslan
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Babayiğit
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Gülhane Military Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ömer Faruk
authors.initials: ÖF
authors.lastname: Tekbaş
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Gülhane Military Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Recai
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oğur
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Gülhane Military Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kılıç
authors.affiliation: The Turkish Naval Force, Naval Mediacal Research Center, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serdar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ulus
keywords: Illumination; electromagnetic field; noise; school health; temperature