Objective: Evaluate air quality in the schools of the municipality
of Coimbra, Portugal, in Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer.
Methods: Temperature (Tº), relative humidity (RH), carbon monoxide
concentrations (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2),
sulphur dioxide (SO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde (HCHO)
and particulate matter (PM10) were measured within 51 primary schools (81
classrooms) in the municipality of Coimbra, Portugal, as well as the
surrounding areas, during Fall/Winter and Spring/summer seasons. It was also
filled a grid for characterization of structural and functional conditions of
these schools.
The sample collection took place from November 2010 to
February 2011 (Fall/Winter) and from March 2011 to June 2011 (Spring/Summer).
We applied statistical tests, t-Student for paired
samples and test T-Wilcoxon.
Results: It was found that in 47 schools, the average
concentrations of CO2 were far above the maximum concentration of reference
mentioned in the Portuguese legislation (>984ppm). The maximum concentration
values found inside the rooms were quite critical, especially in the
Fall/Winter season, reaching 5320 ppm. In some schools, the average
concentrations of VOCs and PM10 exceeded the legislated maximum concentration
of reference. It was also found that there were not detected significant
(risck) amounts of CO, HCHO, NO2, SO2 and O3.
Conclusion: Higher concentrations of pollutants inside the rooms
compared to the outside. The results suggest that inadequate ventilation is
associated with some outcomes, namely the high concentration of CO2 observed in
classrooms.
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