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Practical Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort in Kindergartens. A Case Study of Slovenia

Author

Listed:
  • Vesna Lovec

    (Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

  • Miroslav Premrov

    (Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

  • Vesna Žegarac Leskovar

    (Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

Abstract

The experimental monitoring of carbon dioxide concentration was carried out in kindergartens in Slovenia, together with indoor air temperature and relative humidity, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the research was to estimate the practical impact of the pandemic on indoor air quality and thermal comfort. The case study sample included buildings with different architectural typology, which are predominantly present in the building stock of Slovenia. The monitoring process lasted for 125 days before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results have shown a better indoor air quality in kindergartens during the pandemic, mostly due to ventilation protocols and almost imperceptibly changed indoor air temperature. The COVID-19 pandemic affected air quality in kindergarten classrooms in Slovenia by reducing the average carbon dioxide concentration when children were present in classrooms by 30%.

Suggested Citation

  • Vesna Lovec & Miroslav Premrov & Vesna Žegarac Leskovar, 2021. "Practical Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort in Kindergartens. A Case Study of Slovenia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9712-:d:635969
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alicia Alonso & Jesús Llanos & Rocío Escandón & Juan J. Sendra, 2021. "Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort of Primary Schools in Winter in a Mediterranean Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Daniela Debone & Mariana V. da Costa & Simone G. E. K. Miraglia, 2020. "90 Days of COVID-19 Social Distancing and Its Impacts on Air Quality and Health in Sao Paulo, Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-17, September.
    3. Laurentiu Predescu & Daniel Dunea, 2021. "Performance Evaluation of Particulate Matter and Indoor Microclimate Monitors in University Classrooms under COVID-19 Restrictions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-19, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Giulia Lamberti & Francesco Leccese & Giacomo Salvadori, 2024. "Analysis of the Interplay between Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort in University Classrooms for Enhanced HVAC Control," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-22, October.
    2. Brett Munckton & Priyadarsini Rajagopalan, 2024. "Interaction between Thermal Conditions and Ventilation in Kindergartens in Melbourne, Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Chih-Pei Hu & Jen-Hsiung Cheng, 2022. "Challenges and Actions of IAQ under COVID-19: A Survey of Taiwanese People’s Perception of Epidemic Prevention and Indoor Places Certification," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-19, November.

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