Health and Comfort Implications of Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Conditions in Dubai Elementary Schools
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Date
2011-07
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The British University in Dubai (BUiD)
Abstract
Many studies indicate that poor indoor air quality and thermal discomfort can negatively impact the health, performance, and comfort of the occupants. Poor quality of indoor air can cause short-term or long-term health problems for students and teachers, and this may result in low attendance rate. Thus, it is important for the school to create and maintain a good and healthy indoor environment in order to accomplish its core mission of educating children and improving their academic achievement. This study presents the findings of investigation into the thermal comfort condition and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in four public primary schools across Dubai. Two classrooms were investigated in each school for 6 hours. The schools for this study were selected with the help of Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
Qualitative (survey questionnaire) and quantitative measurement (field measurement) were conducted in order to evaluate thermal comfort condition and quality of the indoor air in selected classrooms. Physical parameters (indoor air temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity) and chemical pollutants (CO2, CO, O3, TVOCs, and TPM) were measured in selected classrooms. Hence, the main parameters that impact IAQ and thermal condition were investigated and key findings were as follows: Indoor level of Total particulate matter (TPM), Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) and CO2 concentrations in some schools were found to be high. Polluted indoor air was caused either by indoor (e.g. detergent and deodorizer) or outdoor activity (e.g. idling vehicles). Indoor level of contaminants even lower than threshold limits may lead to physiological health symptoms for sensitive individual. The observed IAQ measurements in these schools were found to be correlated with reported symptoms (most especially among sensitive students) like headaches, tiredness, concentration problems, sneezing,
coughing, and eyes and skin irritation. Generally proportion of students who were contented with thermal conditions of classrooms was higher than students who were not pleased.
Findings from this study can assist primary schools in Dubai to improve their indoor environmental quality and maintain a clean and healthy classroom. In addition, findings from this study can help people in charge and policy makers in developing adequate IAQ guideline in order to create a good and comfortable indoor condition for classrooms across the UAE.
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DISSERTATION WITH DISTINCTION
Keywords
indoor air quality, thermal comfort, Dubai elementary schools, United Arab Emirates (UAE), academic achievement