Hutter, Moshammer, Wallner et al. 2010a
Hutter, Moshammer, Wallner et al. 2010a
HUTTER, H.-P., H. MOSHAMMER, P. WALLNER, P. HOHENBLUM, M. UHL, S. SCHARF, J. SCHNEIDER, C. GUNDACKER, K. WITTMANN, P. TAPPLER, K. KOCIPER, K. PIEGLER & M. KUNDI, 2010. The air that children breathe: Indoor air quality and health effects in elementary schools in Austria. In: Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health “Protecting children’s health in a changing environment” (Parma, Italy, 10-12 Mar. 2010).
BACKGROUND
In industrialized countries people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. Hence, indoor air quality could have a significant influence on health and productivity of humans. Especially young children should be protected from exposure to indoor chemicals because of their possibly higher vulnerability to pollutants in comparison to adults. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can cause acute health symptoms and illnesses requiring absence from school, it may lead to impaired lung function growth and could have other adverse health effects. Furthermore, a person’s ability to perform specific mental tasks can be reduced.
OBJECTIVE
It should be tested whether differences in respiratory health and cognitive performance of school children are associated with differences in indoor air quality. In addition, concentration of contaminants in biological tissues should be assessed.
The project (LuKi [Air and Children]) aimed at identifying sources of indoor pollution in schools. In another project (“Study on exposure of children to traffic-related air pollution”) we investigated, besides schools, further environments of children like streets, parks and vehicles. Both studies are an Austrian contribution to the WHO Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Indoor air pollutants were continuously monitored for two one-week periods in nine participating elementary schools in different regions of Austria. In addition, house dust and air samples of particulates, were investigated in order to cover the whole indoor air relevant matrices. The screening comprised of semivolatile compounds in particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and household dust (e.g. PAHs, PCBs, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, trisphosphates, phthalates, synthetic musks, pyrethroids, heavy metals). Moreover volatile organic compounds were measured in air samples and NO2, indoor humidity, temperature, and CO2 concentrations were monitored.
These measurement periods were accompanied by medical check-ups of pupils (aged 6-8 years) and by administering a parents’ questionnaire on environmental and housing conditions and respiratory health of the children. Lung function was assessed by spirometry, cognitive performance by Standard Progressive Matrices. Furthermore, a biomonitoring for heavy metals in scalp hair samples and milk teeth was carried out.
RESULTS
Overall 596 children were eligible for the study. In 449 of these children parents gave written consent for participation of their children and answered the questionnaire. Spirometry was performed in 433, cognitive tests in 436, biomonitoring in 324 children. In almost all schools trisphosphates, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and phthalates were found in concentrations above the average in indoor house dust samples. Solvents (ethylbenzene, xylene) and formaldehyde showed moderate but significant correlation to reduced flow volumes (formaldehyde) or reduced forced volumes (solvents) (Figure 1). Visible moulds at home and passive smoking decreased lung function, in particular endexpiratory flow-volumes. Boys showed higher lead and cadmium concentrations in hair than girls (Pb 848 μg/kg vs. 402 μg/kg; Cd 22 μg/kg vs. 10 μg/kg). Concentration of mercury in hair samples correlated with fish consumption.
DISCUSSION
Except for some substances that are ubiquitously found in indoor air or house dust samples environmental quality in schools was better than in average households. Despite the long stay at school still environment quality at home was shown to be of importance for respiratory health. Even in the low concentration range some air pollutants in schools had significant correlations with lung function. Based on scientific evidence specific recommendations have been developed for the control and management of indoor environmental quality in accordance with CEHAPE.
air pollutants; health impact; environmental toxicology
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