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Comparing the effectiveness of interventions to improve ventilation behavior in primary schools
L M J Geelen1, M A J Huijbregts, A M J Ragas
1Office of Environmental Health & Safety, Public Health Services Brabant/Zeeland, Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. l.geelen@science.ru.nl
Indoor Air
|August 5, 2008
Summary
Improving school ventilation behavior is key for better indoor air quality. A CO2 warning device or teaching package, combined with advice, effectively lowers CO2 levels, unlike advice alone.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Health
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Poor indoor air quality in schools is linked to negative health outcomes.
- Ventilation is a primary method for enhancing indoor air quality.
- Elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels serve as an indicator of inadequate ventilation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of different interventions aimed at improving ventilation behaviors in primary school classrooms.
- To compare the impact of class-specific advice, CO2 warning devices, and teaching packages on indoor air quality.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 81 classrooms across 20 Dutch primary schools.
- Interventions included: class-specific ventilation advice, advice with a CO2 warning device, and advice with a teaching package.
- Indoor CO2 concentrations were measured before, directly after, and 6 weeks post-intervention, compared to a control group.
Main Results:
- Before intervention, CO2 levels exceeded 1000 ppm for 64% of the school day.
- Ventilation advice alone was ineffective in improving ventilation behavior.
- The CO2 warning device and teaching package interventions significantly reduced CO2 concentrations compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
- Class-specific ventilation advice combined with a CO2 warning device or a teaching package effectively improves ventilation behavior and indoor air quality.
- While ventilation improved, CO2 levels remained above 1000 ppm for over 40% of the school day, indicating insufficient ventilation rates.
- CO2 warning devices and teaching packages are recommended as cost-effective tools to improve indoor air quality until facility upgrades are implemented.
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