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Ventilation in day care centers and sick leave among nursery children
B Kolarik1, Z Jovanovic Andersen2, T Ibfelt3
1Department of Construction and Health, Danish Building Research Institute, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
Improved ventilation in day care centers (DCCs) is linked to fewer sick days for children. Higher air exchange rates (ACR) in DCCs correlated with a significant decrease in child sick leave, suggesting better indoor air quality benefits health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatrics
- Building Science
Background:
- Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in day care centers (DCCs) is a concern.
- Children in DCCs have higher risks of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ventilation in DCCs and sick leave among nursery children.
- To determine if improved ventilation reduces illness-related absences.
Main Methods:
- Collected sick leave data for 635 children across 20 DCCs over 11 weeks.
- Measured ventilation using air exchange rate (ACR) via decay and perfluorocarbon tracer gas (PFT) methods, and CO2 concentrations.
- Utilized balanced mechanical ventilation systems in most DCCs, resulting in low CO2 levels.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant inverse relationship was found between sick days and ACR measured by the decay method.
- A 12% decrease in sick days per hour increase in ACR (decay method) was observed.
- CO2 levels generally remained below 1000 ppm, with only one DCC exceeding this threshold.
Conclusions:
- Ventilation, particularly as measured by the decay method's air exchange rate, is associated with sick leave in nursery children.
- Enhanced ventilation in DCCs may lead to reduced illness and absenteeism.
- Further research into IAQ and child health in DCCs is warranted.
Abstract:
Several studies have reported poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in day care centers (DCCs), and other studies have shown that children attending them have an increased risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between ventilation in DCCs and sick leave among nursery children. Data on child sick leave within an 11-week period were obtained for 635 children attending 20 DCCs. Ventilation measurements included three proxies of ventilation: air exchange rate (ACR) measured with the decay method, ACR measured by the perfluorocarbon tracer gas (PFT) method, and CO2 concentration measured over a 1-week period. All but two DCCs had balanced mechanical ventilation system, which could explain the low CO2 levels measured. The mean concentration of CO2 was 643 ppm, exceeding 1000 ppm in only one DCC. A statistically significant inverse relationship between the number of sick days and ACR measured with the decay method was found for crude and adjusted analysis, with a 12% decrease in number of sick days per hour increase in ACR measured with the decay method. This study suggests a relationship between sick leave among nursery children and ventilation in DCCs, as measured with the decay method.
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