Abstract
In their annual indoor air quality assessment for ADNOC Schools, the Abu Dhabi Education Council has reported hazardous levels (∼3000 ppm) of carbon dioxide in fifteen classrooms. Exposure of 5,090 students attending the school for ∼eight hours (typical school day) to such high levels of carbon dioxide would induce adverse health conditions like headaches, drowsiness, and lack of concentration on the short term and serious diseases like asthma and sick building syndrome on the long term. The Health, Safety, and Environment committee of the school has identified clogged air intake vents and dirty AC filters as the main cause of the high carbon dioxide concentrations reported. The outdoor (ambient) carbon dioxide level is measured and has an eight-hour average value of 419 ppm. After cleaning thoroughly, the indoor levels of carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity were monitored simultaneously in each classroom and have average values of ∼1117 ppm, ∼24°C, and ∼37%, respectively. In addition, the average indoor-to-outdoor ratio of carbon dioxide has been improved from 3000 / 419 ≈ 7.2 before cleaning the AC filters to an average ratio of ( 1,117 / 419 ≈ 2.7 ) after cleaning. Thus, ventilation rates in the classrooms monitored in this project are adequate and the corrective actions taken were effective.
Highlights
Data of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate that indoor pollution levels may be 2–5 times higher than those of outdoor levels [1]
E exposure to high levels of indoor air pollutants has increased over the past several decades. is increase may be attributed to reduction of ventilation rates to save energy; use of synthetic building materials and furnishings; and use of chemically formulated personal products, pesticides, and cleaning supplies
Failure to respond promptly to indoor air quality (IAQ) problems in schools may lead to short- and long-term respiratory health issues [5] as dry cough, rhinitis, and nasal patency in children [6]; occurrence of sick building syndrome among students [7, 8]; asthma [9]; and poor academic achievement [10]
Summary
Data of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate that indoor pollution levels may be 2–5 times higher than those of outdoor levels [1]. High RH may cause condensation and mould formation, which is unhealthy for occupants and children [22] In their annual IAQ walk-through assessment of ADNOC Schools, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) has reported hazardous levels (∼3000 ppm) of CO2. Such high levels of CO2 would induce adverse health conditions like asthma, headaches, drowsiness, and lack of concentration to a large number of personnel (∼6304) distributed among 6 campuses of ADNOC Schools. E code number of each classroom is stored in the memory of the air meter ahead of measurements Following this methodology, a real-time monitoring of CO2 levels, temperature, and RH is made in fifteen locations indoors of the male campus building of ADNOC Schools before and after cleaning of the AC filters. Leaky windows allow dust to clog filters, which slows air circulation and causes buildup of high CO2 levels
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