Indoor air quality in day-care centres: a global review
Winifred U Anake1, Esther A Nnamani1
1Km10 Idiroko Road, Ota, Nigeria Department of Chemistry, College of Science & Technology, Covenant University.
Insights
Monitoring indoor air quality (IAQ) in day-care centres (DCCs) is crucial for children's health. This review highlights common pollutants, their levels, and risks, emphasizing the need for better IAQ management in DCCs globally.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Health
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Indoor air quality (IAQ) significantly impacts children's health, especially in environments like day-care centres (DCCs).
- Vulnerable populations in DCCs necessitate rigorous monitoring of IAQ.
- Previous research indicates varying levels of chemical pollutants in indoor environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a global overview of chemical pollutant levels in DCCs.
- To compare monitored pollutant concentrations with existing IAQ regulations.
- To evaluate pollutant sources, health risks, and propose IAQ enhancement strategies.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of 37 articles based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
- Analysis of predominant indoor chemical pollutants monitored in DCCs worldwide.
- Comparison of pollutant concentrations against international IAQ standards.
Main Results:
- Particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) was the most studied pollutant, followed by carbon dioxide and formaldehyde.
- Most pollutants showed a decreasing trend: PM > CO2 > formaldehyde > CO > total VOCs > VOCs > NO2 > ozone > benzene > SO2 = radon.
- While NO2, radon, and CO levels were generally compliant, other pollutants frequently exceeded reference values.
Conclusions:
- Significant variations in IAQ exist across global DCCs, with frequent exceedances of recommended pollutant levels.
- There is a need for more comprehensive global studies on IAQ in DCCs.
- Future research should explore low-cost sensors and mobile analytical equipment for accessible IAQ data collection.
Abstract:
A healthy indoor environment is critical for children due to the severe effect of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) on their overall well-being. Day-care centres (DCCs) are important indoor microenvironments for children apart from their homes. Therefore, monitoring IAQ in this microenvironment is vital because of the vulnerability of the occupants. This review gives a global overview of the predominant indoor chemical pollutant levels monitored in DCCs, compares their concentration with available regulations for IAQ, evaluates the sources and health risk effects of chemical pollutants and proposes strategies for enhancing IAQ in DCCs. Thirty-seven (37) articles were used based on specific stated inclusion and exclusion criteria. Continents like Europe and Asia have the most published studies in indoor DCCs. The decreasing trend of pollutants examined in most studies include particulate matter > carbon dioxide > formaldehyde > carbon monoxide > total volatile organic compounds > volatile organic compounds > nitrogen dioxide > ozone > benzene > sulphur dioxide = radon. Particulate matter in the size and mass concentration range of PM10 (0.116-1920.71 μg/m3) > PM2.5 (0.279.2-260.74 μg/m3) was the most investigated pollutant. While nitrogen dioxide, radon and carbon monoxide were consistent with the existing national and international reference values for IAQ across the continents, exceedances occurred in other pollutants. The limited number of indoor chemical pollutant studies suggests the need for more comprehensive studies on IAQ in DCC globally. Further studies should highlight the availability of low-cost sensors and mobile analytical equipment that will promote affordable ground-level data accessibility.
Supplementary Information:
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11869-023-01320-5.
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