Seasonal Variation in Schools’ Indoor Air Environments and Health Symptoms among Students in an Eastern Mediterranean Climate

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ABSTRACTThe indoor air quality (IAQ) in classrooms highly affects the health and productivity of students. This article aims to clarify seasonal variation in indoor environment and sick building syndromes (SBS) symptoms in an Eastern Mediterranean climate. A series of field measurements were conducted during the fall and winter seasons from October 2011 to March 2012 in 12 naturally ventilated schools located in the Gaza Strip. Data on environmental perception and health symptoms were obtained from 724 students by using a validated questionnaire. The results showed that indoor PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were 426.3 ± 187.6 μg/m3 and 126.6 ± 94.8 μg/m3, respectively. The CO2 concentrations and ventilation rate widely exceeded their reference values during the winter season. The prevalence rates of general symptoms were relatively high at baseline assessment in the fall season and increased significantly during follow-up in the winter season. Significant increases in disease symptoms such as mucosal irritation and pre-existing asthma symptoms among students could be related to poor indoor air quality. Five distinct groups of SBS symptoms from factor analysis of students’ related symptoms were significantly correlated with PM10 and PM2.5, CO2, ventilation rate, and indoor temperature. As vulnerable children, this situation negatively affects their school performance and health.