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[Children's indoor environment. A study of Norwegian dwellings]
1Forskningsinstitutt for pediatrisk allergologi, lungemedisin og miljø Voksentoppen, Oslo.
Insights
Many Norwegian children
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Health
- Indoor Air Quality
Background:
- Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is a significant concern for children's health.
- Asthma prevalence is increasing, and environmental factors play a crucial role.
- Understanding the specific IAQ challenges in children's homes is essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the indoor environmental quality in homes of healthy children and children with asthma in Norway.
- To identify common indoor air pollutants and allergens exceeding established guidelines.
- To provide data for improving IAQ in children's living spaces.
Main Methods:
- Investigated 112 Norwegian dwellings with either healthy children or children with asthma.
- Monitored carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and house dust mites.
- Assessed exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) using nicotine in hair and cotinine in urine.
Main Results:
- Over 50% of children's rooms had unacceptable IAQ.
- High nighttime CO2 levels (>1000 ppm) were found in 69% of bedrooms.
- VOCs exceeded guidelines in 53% of homes; 60% of children were exposed to ETS.
- Excessive house dust mites (>200 mites/m²) were present in 45% of dwellings.
Conclusions:
- The indoor environment in Norwegian children's homes frequently fails to meet IAQ guidelines.
- Significant exposure to CO2, VOCs, ETS, and house dust mites poses a risk to children's respiratory health.
- Urgent improvements are needed in home indoor environments to protect children's health.
Abstract:
The indoor environment was investigated in 112 Norwegian dwellings where either healthy children or children with asthma were living. Compared with the official guidelines for indoor air quality, more than 50% of the children's rooms had unacceptable indoor air. Continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide showed unacceptably high levels in 69% of the children's bedrooms at night. Levels of volatile organic compounds exceeded the guideline in 53% of the dwellings. More than 60% of the children were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke, as identified by nicotine in hair and cotinine in urine samples. Levels of house dust mites in excess of the guideline were found in 45% of the dwellings. The results indicated a need to improve the indoor environment in the homes of children.