Indoor air quality and atopic sensitization in primary schools: A follow-up study

João Cavaleiro Rufo; Joana Madureira; Inês Paciência; Lívia Aguiar; João Paulo Teixeira; André Moreira; Eduardo de Oliveira Fernandes

doi:10.1016/j.pbj.2016.07.003

Indoor air quality and atopic sensitization in primary schools: A follow-up study

Porto Biomed J. 2016 Sep-Oct;1(4):142-146. doi: 10.1016/j.pbj.2016.07.003. Epub 2016 Aug 10.

Authors

João Cavaleiro Rufo^{1

2

3

4}, Joana Madureira³, Inês Paciência^{1

2

3

4}, Lívia Aguiar^{4

5

6}, João Paulo Teixeira^{4

5

6}, André Moreira^{1

2

4}, Eduardo de Oliveira Fernandes³

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
² S. João Hospital Centre, Porto, Portugal.
³ Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering, Porto, Portugal.
⁴ EPIUnit, Institute of Public Health of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
⁵ National Institute of Health, Porto, Portugal.
⁶ Institute of Public Health, Porto, Portugal.

Abstract

Highlights: The SINPHONIE guidelines were successful in reducing PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in schools.The schools failed to reduce the levels of other IAQ pollutants.No significant changes were observed in the prevalence of atopy.

Background: The onset and exacerbation of allergic diseases and asthma have been associated with poor indoor air quality (IAQ) inside classrooms.

Objective: The aim was to investigate how IAQ changed in primary schools after applying indoor air quality recommendations, and to explore how these changes influenced allergic sensitization on children.

Methods: Total volatile organic compounds, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, CO₂, CO, temperature and relative humidity in the indoor and outdoor air of 20 primary schools were measured in 2010-2012. The school staff received instructions on how to improve IAQ in accordance with the dedicated guidelines. Atopy status was assessed in children attending the participating classrooms by skin prick tests and exhaled nitric oxide. A follow-up sampling campaign was performed in 2014-2015 in the same schools.

Results: Indoor PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations were approximately 40% lower in the follow-up measurements (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences regarding outdoor PM concentrations. Nevertheless, PM levels from the follow-up campaign still exceeded the reference value established by Portuguese legislation. Moreover, there were no significant differences in atopic prevalence and FENO values between the campaigns.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that adoption of the recommendations based on the SINPHONIE guidelines was particularly successful in reducing PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in primary schools of Porto. Nevertheless, the schools failed to reduce the levels of other IAQ pollutants, as well as the prevalence of atopic disease.

Keywords: Atopy; Children; Follow-up study; Indoor air quality; Particulate matter; Schools.