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Indoor Air Quality and Human Health Risk Assessment in the Open-Air Classroom

Author

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  • Jenjira Kaewrat

    (School of Languages and General Education, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
    Center of Excellence in Sustainable Disaster Management, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand)

  • Rungruang Janta

    (School of Languages and General Education, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
    Center of Excellence in Sustainable Disaster Management, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand)

  • Surasak Sichum

    (Center of Excellence in Sustainable Disaster Management, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand)

  • Thongchai Kanabkaew

    (Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani 10120, Thailand)

Abstract

Indoor air quality is associated with academic performance and harmful health effects on students and teachers who participate in the classroom. Outdoor sources always contribute to classroom air quality. This study aims to estimate the amounts of indoor and outdoor pollutants and the influence of outdoor sources on open-air classrooms in a school located in the city. A health risk assessment was applied to assess the non-carcinogenic risk to students and teachers from exposure to the pollutants in the classroom. The concentrations of indoor NO 2 ranged between 46.40 and 77.83 µg/m 3 , which is about 0.8 times that of outdoor NO 2 . A strong correlation and a high indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio (>0.5) without a source, indicated that indoor NO 2 is significantly influenced by outdoor sources. The range of indoor PM 2.5 concentrations was 1.66 to 31.52 µg/m 3 which was influenced by meteorological conditions. The indoor PM 2.5 concentrations were affected by both indoor and outdoor sources. Although the level of indoor air pollutants met the official standard, the young children were exposed to indoor air pollutants which were above the recommended limits to human health with regard to the hazard index (HI) of 1.12. Instant measures such as regularly cleaning the classrooms, zoning the students, and installation of solid and vegetation barriers are recommended to reduce the daily dose of pollutants affecting students in open-air classrooms.

Suggested Citation

  • Jenjira Kaewrat & Rungruang Janta & Surasak Sichum & Thongchai Kanabkaew, 2021. "Indoor Air Quality and Human Health Risk Assessment in the Open-Air Classroom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8302-:d:601107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen, Jianli & Brager, Gail S. & Augenbroe, Godfried & Song, Xinyi, 2019. "Impact of outdoor air quality on the natural ventilation usage of commercial buildings in the US," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 673-684.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yucheng He & Sanika Ravindra Nishandar & Rufus David Edwards & Marko Princevac, 2023. "Air Quality Modeling of Cooking Stove Emissions and Exposure Assessment in Rural Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-14, March.
    2. Kun Lan & Yang Chen, 2022. "Air Quality and Thermal Environment of Primary School Classrooms with Sustainable Structures in Northern Shaanxi, China: A Numerical Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-19, September.

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