Indoor air quality statistical analysis for school buildings

Abstract

Recent indoor air quality (IAQ) studies have identified significant concerns about elevated levels of air pollution in school environments. Consequently, this research aims to investigate and analyze indoor air quality of a sample of ten secondary schools in the emirate of Sharjah, with the goal of determining the concentrations of several common indoor contaminants, evaluate the significance of several building and environmental factors that could affect indoor contaminant levels, and assess their potential health and performance effects on students' health. The objectives of the research were achieved by the means of location preliminary study, visual inspection of the school building components, subjective measurements by interviewing students and faculty members. objective measurements of indoor contaminants and statistical analysis to establish correlation between contaminants, sources and the potential effect on occupants' wellbeing and satisfaction, while testing for the significance of the correlations established. The initial investigation found high CO2 levels throughout the sample of ten schools, which was a clear sign of inadequate ventilation rates given that eight of the ten schools lacked mechanical ventilation systems. Three of the ten schools did not exhibit increased VOC levels, as this was mostly due to the entry of external traffic contaminants, the lack of mechanical ventilation, and the materials present in the inside environment of the schools. As a result of classroom overcrowding and inadequate HVAC cooling capacity, fifty percent of the schools have interior temperatures that exceed those allowed by ASHRAE 55 guidelines. The higher interior temperatures were anticipated to be an issue for the comfort of the students, but the surveys provided to the students and faculty provided that students prefer warmer indoor surroundings, probably because of their upbringing in warmer, desert regions. Concerning

student health, it was determined that humidity control and adequate ventilation are the most important factors to improve students' and staff's well-being in the indoor environment, as both contribute to the growth of biological and gaseous contaminants that are associated with elevated levels of occupant illness and discomfort.