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The Impact of Indoor Exposure to Fungi and Bacteria on the Risk of Sensitization and Asthma in Children

Publication . Cavaleiro Rufo, João; Madureira, Joana; Paciência, Inês; Aguiar, Lívia; Padrão, Patrícia; Pinto, Mariana; Delgado, Luísa; Moreira, Pedro; Teixeira, João Paulo; Oliveira Fernandes, Eduardo; Moreira, André

Aim: To characterize indoor air microbiological exposure in schools as a predictor of allergic sensitization and asthma in children.

2016-02-04Lecture

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Indoor air quality and atopic sensitization in primary schools: A follow-up study

Publication . Cavaleiro Rufo, João; Madureira, Joana; Paciência, Inês; Aguiar, Lívia; Teixeira, João Paulo; Moreira, André; de Oliveira Fernandes, Eduardo

Background: The onset and exacerbation of allergic diseases and asthma have been associated with poorindoor air quality (IAQ) inside classrooms.Objective: The aim was to investigate how IAQ changed in primary schools after applying indoor air qualityrecommendations, and to explore how these changes influenced allergic sensitization on children.Methods: Total volatile organic compounds, PM2.5, PM10, CO2, CO, temperature and relative humidity inthe indoor and outdoor air of 20 primary schools were measured in 2010–2012. The school staff receivedinstructions on how to improve IAQ in accordance with the SINPHONIE guidelines. Atopy status wasassessed in children attending the participating classrooms by skin prick tests and exhaled nitric oxide.A follow-up sampling campaign was performed in 2014–2015 in the same schools.Results: Indoor PM2.5and PM10concentrations were approximately 40% lower in the follow-up mea-surements (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences regarding outdoor PM concentrations.Nevertheless, PM levels from the follow-up campaign still exceeded the reference value established byPortuguese legislation. Moreover, there were no significant differences in atopic prevalence and FENOvalues between the campaigns.Conclusion: These findings suggest that adoption of the recommendations based on the SINPHONIE guide-lines was particularly successful in reducing PM2.5and PM10in primary schools of Porto. Nevertheless,the schools failed to reduce the levels of other IAQ pollutants, as well as the prevalence of atopic disease.

2016-08-10Journal article

Open access

Children's health and indoor air quality in primary schools and homes in Portugal-Study design

Publication . Madureira, Joana; Paciência, Inês; Ramos, Elisabete; Barros, Henrique; Pereira, Cristiana; Teixeira, João Paulo; Fernandes, Eduardo de Oliveira

The main aim of the research project "On the Contribution of Schools to Children's Overall Indoor Air Exposure" is to study associations between adverse health effects, namely, allergy, asthma, and respiratory symptoms, and indoor air pollutants to which children are exposed to in primary schools and homes. Specifically, this investigation reports on the design of the study and methods used for data collection within the research project and discusses factors that need to be considered when designing such a study. Further, preliminary findings concerning descriptors of selected characteristics in schools and homes, the study population, and clinical examination are presented. The research project was designed in two phases. In the first phase, 20 public primary schools were selected and a detailed inspection and indoor air quality (IAQ) measurements including volatile organic compounds (VOC), aldehydes, particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), bacteria, fungi, temperature, and relative humidity were conducted. A questionnaire survey of 1600 children of ages 8-9 years was undertaken and a lung function test, exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), and tear film stability testing were performed. The questionnaire focused on children's health and on the environment in their school and homes. One thousand and ninety-nine questionnaires were returned. In the second phase, a subsample of 68 children was enrolled for further studies, including a walk-through inspection and checklist and an extensive set of IAQ measurements in their homes. The acquired data are relevant to assess children's environmental exposures and health status.

2015-07-13Journal article

Open access

Children exposure to indoor ultrafine particles in urban and rural school environments

Publication . Cavaleiro Rufo, João; Madureira, Joana; Paciência, Inês; Slezakova, Klara; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Aguiar, Lívia; Teixeira, João Paulo; Moreira, André; Oliveira Fernandes, Eduardo

Extended exposure to ultrafine particles (UFPs) may lead to consequences in children due to their increased susceptibility when compared to older individuals. Since children spend in average 8 h/day in primary schools, assessing the number concentrations of UFPs in these institutions is important in order to evaluate the health risk for children in primary schools caused by indoor air pollution. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess and determine the sources of indoor UFP number concentrations in urban and rural Portuguese primary schools. Indoor and outdoor ultrafine particle (UFP) number concentrations were measured in six urban schools (US) and two rural schools (RS) located in the north of Portugal, during the heating season. The mean number concentrations of indoor UFPs were significantly higher in urban schools than in rural ones (10.4 × 10(3) and 5.7 × 10(3) pt/cm(3), respectively). Higher UFP levels were associated with higher squared meters per student, floor levels closer to the ground, chalk boards, furniture or floor covering materials made of wood and windows with double-glazing. Indoor number concentrations of ultrafine-particles were inversely correlated with indoor CO2 levels. In the present work, indoor and outdoor concentrations of UFPs in public primary schools located in urban and rural areas were assessed, and the main sources were identified for each environment. The results not only showed that UFP pollution is present in augmented concentrations in US when compared to RS but also revealed some classroom/school characteristics that influence the concentrations of UFPs in primary schools.

2016-07Journal article

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Indoor air quality in Portuguese schools: levels and sources of pollutants

Publication . Madureira, Joana; Paciência, Inês; Pereira, Cristiana; Teixeira, João Paulo; Fernandes, Eduardo de Oliveira

Indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters in 73 primary classrooms in Porto were examined for the purpose of assessing levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, particulate matter, ventilation rates and bioaerosols within and between schools, and potential sources. Levels of VOCs, aldehydes, PM2.5 , PM10 , bacteria and fungi, carbon dioxide (CO2 ), carbon monoxide, temperature and relative humidity were measured indoors and outdoors and a walkthrough survey was performed concurrently. Ventilation rates were derived from CO2 and occupancy data. Concentrations of CO2 exceeding 1000 ppm were often encountered, indicating poor ventilation. Most VOCs had low concentrations (median of individual species <5 μg/m(3) ) and were below the respective WHO guidelines. Concentrations of particulate matter and culturable bacteria were frequently higher than guidelines/reference values. The variability of VOCs, aldehydes, bioaerosol concentrations, and CO2 levels between schools exceeded the variability within schools. These findings indicate that IAQ problems may persist in classrooms where pollutant sources exist and classrooms are poorly ventilated; source control strategies (related to building location, occupant behavior, maintenance/cleaning activities) are deemed to be the most reliable for the prevention of adverse health consequences in children in schools.

2016-08-09Journal article

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