Indoor air quality monitoring and human perception survey on air quality in public buildings in Timisoara

Iudit Bere Semeredi,Diana Mihaela Nica,Romulus Corlan,Ella Anca Sipetan,Mihai Eugen Valceanu,N.F Cofaru,M Inţă

doi:10.1051/matecconf/202134310021

Abstract

The paper presents a study aimed at investigating the indoor air quality (IAQ) and people’s perception regarding the indoor environment of schools and public buildings in Timisoara. The indoor air quality monitoring was performed during the cold season, in the period January 2020 – February 2021. Six public buildings – schools and administrative edifices belonging to the municipality were subject of monitoring. An Andersen microbial air sampler was used to enumerate the numbers and different kinds of respirable bacteria and fungi inside of the selected classrooms and offices. The results of the specialized laboratory analyses indicate that the microbiological contaminant counts, expressed in colonyforming unit (CFU/m3), fall within the permissible limits for all monitored rooms. No beta-hemolytic streptococci or Staphylococcus aureus were identified, conditionally pathogenic bacteria for the upper respiratory tract. Most moulds were of the genus Penicillium, without having a pathogenic significance for humans. Occupants’ perception on indoor air quality, thermal comfort, health complaints and symptoms such allergies or respiratory illnesses with possible connection to the Sick building syndrome were surveyed by questionnaire. The findings were analysed and a plan to improve IAQ in the public buildings was proposed, with specific measures to increase the comfort and health of the learning and working environment.

Highlights

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) monitoring have been fields of interest over the last decade
‒ The presence of unpleasant odors is identified by respondents of all three schools in a proportion ranging from 23% to 29%; ‒ The presence of mould is indicated by respondents in school B (29%) and school C (15%), and especially for classes located on the basement level of schools. ‒ The indoor temperatures measured in the investigated rooms showed homogeneous values, ranging from a minimum of 21.6 ± 1.3°C to a maximum of 24.2 ± 1.8°C in all monitored buildings – classrooms and offices. These values partly fell within the 20–23°C range recommended for indoor environment in wintertime, but many investigated rooms exceed the maximum limit recommended by the American National Standard Institute (ASHRAE), especially at the end of classes
The results of the survey on IAQ and environmental factors inside the investigated municipal public buildings demonstrate that: - The thermal discomfort felt by the occupants is high in public building C (31%), which is indicated by measuring the values of ambient temperature and relative humidity (23%)

Summary

Introduction

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) monitoring have been fields of interest over the last decade. This interest is justified by the fact that there is a tangible connection between indoor air quality and the health and wellbeing of the inhabitants. People spend nowadays more time indoors than they do in open air. Children spend more than 20% of the time at school, adults more than 80% in indoor environments, especially in the last year, due to the restriction of free movement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

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