Indoor Air Quality in Day-Care Centers

Abstract

Considering the alarming rise in the rate of asthma and respiratory diseases among school children, it is of great importance to investigate all probable causes. Outside of the home, children spend most of their time in school. Many studies have researched the indoor air quality of elementary and secondary school buildings to determine the exposure of school children to indoor air pollution. However, studies of exposures to very young children in day-care centers are scarce. Unlike at elementary schools or universities, children in day-care centers are more vulnerable due to their physiology, inability to articulate discomfort, or to adapt their behavior to avoid exposures. This chapter reviews current studies on the indoor environment in day-care centers. It summarizes air pollution levels and related environmental and behavioral factors in day-care centers that have been reported in the literature. Additionally, exposure to indoor air pollution and related potential health outcomes are examined. This chapter concludes that indoor air pollution in day-care centers often exceeds current guidelines, and designers and policymakers should be made aware of the impact on the health and wellbeing of children in day-care centers. Proper interventions and guidelines should be considered to create a healthy indoor environment for children in day-care centers.