The indoor air quality (IAQ) was investigated in sixty-four primary school buildings in five Central European countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Slovenia). The concentration of volatile organic compounds, aldehydes, PM2.5 mass, carbon dioxide, radon, as well as physical parameters were investigated during the heating period of 2017/2018. Significant differences were identified for the majority of the investigated IAQ parameters across the countries. The median indoor/outdoor ratios varied considerably. A comprehensive evaluation of IAQ in terms of potential health effects and comfort perception was performed. Hazard quotient values were below the threshold value of 1 with one exception. In contrast, 31% of the school buildings were characterized by hazard index values higher than 1. The maximum cumulative ratio approach highlighted that the concern for non-carcinogenic health effects was either low or the health risk was driven by more substances. The median excess lifetime cancer risk values exceeded the acceptable value of 1 × 10-6 in the case of radon and formaldehyde. PM2.5 mass concentration values exceeded the 24 h and annual guideline values set by the World Health Organization in 56 and 85% of the cases, respectively. About 80% of the schools could not manage to comply with the recommended concentration value for carbon dioxide (1000 ppm).
- Klíčová slova
- InAirQ, children, environmental health, health risk assessment, indoor air, monitoring campaign,
- MeSH
- látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
- školy MeSH
- znečištění vzduchu ve vnitřním prostředí * analýza MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Evropa MeSH
- Názvy látek
- látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the possible associations between self-perceived sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms among healthcare workers and healthcare associates and self-perceived parameters of indoor work environment quality. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2019. Validated standardized evaluation tools (MM 040 NA Hospital 2007 and MM 040 NA Office 2007) were used for estimating the prevalence of SBS among observed populations. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests for assessing possible associations in SBS symptoms between healthcare workers and associates were used. RESULTS: The response rate was 69.8%. The results showed a lower prevalence of six or more SBS symptoms in healthcare associates (6.4%) compared to healthcare workers (12.0%). Healthcare workers perceived the most frequent risk factors for SBS to be poor air quality, an inappropriate level of relative humidity, and inappropriate room temperature, while the least frequently self-perceived risk factors were inappropriate lighting and noise levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents a platform for further analyses - the identification of health risk factors with environmental monitoring.
- Klíčová slova
- healthcare associates, healthcare workers, hospitals, prevalence, sick building syndrome,
- MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nemocnice všeobecné MeSH
- poskytování zdravotní péče MeSH
- průřezové studie MeSH
- syndrom nezdravých budov * epidemiologie MeSH
- zdravotnický personál MeSH
- znečištění vzduchu ve vnitřním prostředí * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovinsko epidemiologie MeSH
