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We will make an assessment of the environmental quality of the air we breathe. When the quality of the air we breathe is not good, health problems can appear, such as eye irritation, respiratory problems and even heart problems.
The values of some pollutants must be below certain values. Otherwise, the authorities can take decisions such as banning the movement of some vehicles, restricting the practice of outdoor sport or even recommending the use of masks.
In Catalonia, the XVPQA (Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting Network) has a network of stations where the levels of the main polluting gases and particulate matter are measured.
Through air quality indices, which are also assigned a color, we know whether we are breathing healthy air or not.
Here you can see where air quality is measured --> Pollution data viewer (Medi Ambient, Gencat)
But air quality is not only measured here. There are measuring stations all over the world. Check out the web page that is below: (if your are using your mobile click here website)
Here you can see the values of the air quality index (AQI) and the colors used to represent them:
On the other hand, not only does pollution influence the quality - and also the perception that we have of the air- that we breathe.
We will measure and calculate the hygrothermal, respiratory and visual comfort of the air.
Hygrothermal confort
We will use the Fanger method, which takes into account the temperature and humidity of the air.
Respiratory confort
CO2 is a gas that we release when we breathe. In buildings such as schools, where there are many people grouped in little space, the concentration of CO2 can be very high.
When CO2 levels exceed 800 -1200 ppm (feeling of "loaded environment" many people begin to experience discomfort, headaches, tiredness and respiratory problems
The most serious effects occur from 5000 ppm, where fainting can occur.
In addition, measuring high CO2 values in classrooms means that there are also high values of other gases and particles, as well as a greater accumulation of viruses and bacteria in the air we breathe.
VISUAL COMFORT
In schools, light is very important to work well, hence the importance of the concept of light comfort. But on the other hand, it represents a high percentage of electricity consumption.
With a light meter you can measure the energy of light that reaches a surface.
Although there is no agreement on the values to be maintained, it is recommended that in spaces such as classrooms and library, there are about 500-700 lux; for laboratories and drawing classrooms, 700-1000 lux are recommended.
Lux-metre
LET´S WORK!
Your group will work in different spaces: different classrooms, the library, the laboratory and/or the drawing room and the schoolyard.
You will need worksheets, digital pollution meters and light intensity meters.
Material you have to take:
CO2 metre
lux metre
computers
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