ASSESSMENT OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN SCHOOLS - SIGNIFICANCE FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN SERBIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46793/PP260131016NKeywords:
indoor air, children, schoolAbstract
Introduction: Children are particularly vulnerable to indoor air pollution due to their physiological characteristics and the substantial amount of time spent in school environments. In Serbia, data on indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools remain limited. Healthcare professionals must rely on international data that may not fully reflect regional building characteristics and climatic conditions.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess indoor air quality in two primary schools in Niš, Serbia, located in areas with different levels of air pollution - one situated in the central urban zone characterized by higher traffic density and elevated pollution levels, and the other in a suburban spa area with lower levels of ambient air pollution.
Materials and methods: Target air quality parameters investigated in this study were sulfur dioxide (SO2) and black smoke (BS), nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and biological agents. The pollutants were measured daily, during the heating season. Gas samples were collected using the aspiration method with an Air Sampling Pump in corridors, sport halls/gymnasiums and two classrooms. Microflora was examined using classical microbiological techniques, by aspiration sampling, in which air was drawn through liquid dextrose broth, as well as by sedimentation on blood agar. Sabouraud dextrose agar was used for the identification of fungi.
Results: Concentrations of SO2, black smoke and NOₓ were consistently higher in the primary school located in the more air polluted area compared to the other school, yet all remained below the relevant national guideline values. Carbon monoxide levels were also higher in school in city center, while being negligible in school in Niška Banja (spa), whereas formaldehyde was detected exclusively in city center school at concentrations exceeding the guideline value. Microbiological analysis showed distinct contamination patterns between the two schools and the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci, Enterococcus faecium, enteric bacteria and Candida at one school, while the other school showed predominance of Bacillus species with sporadic pathogenic bacteria and saprophytic molds.
Conclusion: This study provides new indoor air quality data from two primary school buildings in the city of Niš, highlighting the need for reduced formaldehyde concentrations and improved risk assessment approaches to support the development of national IAQ action plans in Serbia.
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