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Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort of Primary Schools in Winter in a Mediterranean Climate

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  • Alicia Alonso

    (Instituto de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Jesús Llanos

    (Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Rocío Escandón

    (Instituto de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Juan J. Sendra

    (Instituto de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain)

Abstract

Research studies have shown the potential effects of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on pupils’ health and academic performance. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted renewed interest in the assessment of deficient indoor air quality (IAQ) conditions in schools and has become a priority over achieving adequate comfort conditions. Scientific studies confirm aerosols as one of the transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2 so that the possibility of airborne transmission increases in indoor environments with high occupancy, such as classrooms. As a result, international protocols and guidelines have established a requirement for educational buildings to over-ventilate with a fresh outdoor air supply. The main object of this work is to analyse the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on thermal comfort and indoor air quality, in winter, in two classrooms of southern Spain. Thus, onsite measurements of environmental variables were conducted before and during the pandemic. Both classrooms have mechanical ventilation systems as they are within a recently built primary school (2018). Results shows a decrease of 300 ppm in CO 2 weekly average values during the pandemic, when hybrid ventilation is used, and a decrease of 400 ppm when schools are naturally ventilated during all teaching hours. However, the analysis of standards shows that over 60% of hours are thermal discomfort conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2699-:d:509278
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Miguel Ángel Campano & Samuel Domínguez-Amarillo & Jesica Fernández-Agüera & Juan José Sendra, 2019. "Thermal Perception in Mild Climate: Adaptive Thermal Models for Schools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-23, July.
    2. Samuel Domínguez-Amarillo & Jesica Fernández-Agüera & Maella Minaksi González & Teresa Cuerdo-Vilches, 2020. "Overheating in Schools: Factors Determining Children’s Perceptions of Overall Comfort Indoors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-21, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dariel López-López & Antonio Serrano-Jiménez & Juan Gavilanes & Ferran Ventura-Blanch & Ángela Barrios-Padura & Carmen Díaz-López, 2023. "A Study on the Parametric Design Parameters That Influence Environmental Ergonomics and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-30, April.
    2. Michele Zinzi & Francesca Pagliaro & Stefano Agnoli & Fabio Bisegna & Domenico Iatauro, 2021. "On the Built-Environment Quality in Nearly Zero-Energy Renovated Schools: Assessment and Impact of Passive Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, May.
    3. Ewa Zender-Świercz & Marek Telejko & Beata Galiszewska & Mariola Starzomska, 2022. "Assessment of Thermal Comfort in Rooms Equipped with a Decentralised Façade Ventilation Unit," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-16, September.
    4. 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.

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