Environmental conditions in homes with healthy and unhealthy schoolchildren in Beijing, China

Abstract

In 2013, a comprehensive investigation of environmental conditions was carried out in schoolchildren's houses during winter and summer in Beijing, China. The houses were divided into two Groups (Group A: unhealthy children's houses; Group B: healthy children's houses). According to the field measurement, inappropriate thermal environment contributed by indoor low temperatures and RHs in winter and dampness in summer could affect childhood health. The beyond standard (1000 ppm) situations of CO2 concentration revealed poor ventilation in houses of Group A, which could increase the risk of children's asthma and respiratory infections. Indoor carbonyls and VOCs levels in almost all the homes did not exceed the guideline. However, the integrated influence of these compounds should be noted for possible adverse health effects, especially in child's bedroom where children spent more time. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were most frequently detected SVOCs in house dust. In summer, the average child's daily intake of phthalates from house dust in homes of Group A was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that of Group B. Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus spp. accounted for about 90% of indoor airborne fungi. Airborne fungal levels in about 70% of measured rooms exceeded 1000 cfu/m3 in summer. The high correlation between airborne fungi and PM was found, consequently, children's health could be affected by the combined action of airborne fungi and PM. These results were helpful to evaluate and design healthy housing environment for schoolchildren.