Abstract
Children exposure to PM2.5 is associated with several negative health effects. Particulate air pollution in the ambient and indoor air could lead to exacerbation of respiratory diseases and even influence cognitive function in children. One of the methods to improve indoor air quality is to use electronic air purifiers. Such an equipment is still not commonly used in Polish kindergartens and homes. The aim of the study was to assess changes in children exposure to particulate air pollution in kindergarten classrooms due to the occurrence of air purifier. Automatic PM2.5 concentration monitors were used to assess the air quality changes in the indoor and ambient air. As it was a pilot study, four kindergartens in Warsaw has been chosen as research fields. Concentration measurements were conducted in cold season. In each kindergarten measurements of the PM2.5 concentration were made in two classrooms - one with air purifier switched on and the other one without air purification. Changes in air quality were observed due to opening windows and the presence of the children. Air quality in classrooms with air purification was on average almost 40%-50% better than in those without any procedures to decrease air pollutants concentration.
Highlights
Children exposure to PM2.5 is associated with several negative health effects
As it is shown on the diagrams in Fig.1. air quality indoors depends on the concentration of PM2.5 in urban background
Results of the study show that the quality of indoor air in selected kindergartens varies due to differences in operating air purification devices and manual, by opening the windows, ventilation of the classrooms
Summary
Children exposure to PM2.5 is associated with several negative health effects. Children are sensitive to airborne particulate matter. Australian researchers have studied the impact of early childhood traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) exposure on the development of asthma and allergies. Early childhood exposure to TRAP was associated with the development of asthma across children up to 12 years of age. The magnitude of these associations increased with age, and the pattern was prominent for PM2.5 [1]
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