Indoor air quality in primary schools in Keçiören, Ankara

Authors: MUSTAFA ALPARSLAN BABAYİĞİT, BİLAL BAKIR, ÖMER FARUK TEKBAŞ, RECAİ OĞUR, ABDULLAH KILIÇ, SERDAR ULUS

Abstract: To increase the awareness of environmental risk factors by determining the indoor air quality status of primary schools. Materials and methods: Indoor air quality parameters in 172 classrooms of 31 primary schools in Keçiören, Ankara, were examined for the purpose of assessing the levels of air pollutants (CO, CO_2, SO_2, NO_2, and formaldehyde) within primary schools. Results: Schools near heavy traffic had a statistically significant mean average of CO and SO_2 (P < 0.05). The classrooms that had more than 35 students had higher and statistically significant averages of CO_2, SO_2, NO_2, and formaldehyde compared to classrooms that had fewer than 35 students (P < 0.05). Of all classrooms, 29% had 100 CFU/100 mL and higher concentrations of microorganisms, which were not pathogens. Conclusion: Indoor air quality management should continually be maintained in primary schools for the prevention and control of acute and chronic diseases, particularly considering biological and chemical pollution.

Keywords: Primary schools, air pollutants, air microbiology

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