In this webinar studies from four different countries were presented to document and analyse the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in schools based on monitoring of various indoor environmental parameters, including PM and CO2. Schools represent crucial environments due to children's extended exposure and increased vulnerability to air pollution. Therefore, studying the school environment allows to develop evidence-based strategies to minimise exposure to indoor air pollution and enhance children’s health and well-being.

The Irish study characterised the variation of key indoor air pollutants in naturally ventilated classrooms, concentrating on identifying the building and occupancy-driven factors influencing IAQ. In the Canadian study a controlled intervention method was applied to determine the effectiveness of portable air cleaners in reducing indoor air contaminants in schools. The British study has used a citizen science approach to create a network of air quality monitoring in schools across the UK, providing a big data set allowing for representative analysis of conditions within UK schools. Finally, the German study used an observational approach to investigate the influence of three different ventilation concepts in real school operations on Indoor Environmental Quality.

Together, these studies provide new insights into the challenges of improving air quality in schools and the contribution of ventilation concepts and air cleaning technologies.

This webinar was organised by the AIVC and facilitated by INIVE.

AGENDA (CET)

• 15:00 | Welcome & Introduction, Arnold Janssens (AIVC/UGent, BE)  | Slides
• 15:05 | Indoor Air Quality in Naturally Ventilated Classrooms and Offices, James A. McGrath (Maynooth University, IE)  | Slides, Recordings
• 15:20 | Questions & Answers  | Recordings
• 15:25 | A controlled intervention study in two schools: impact and benefits of the air cleaning measures implemented, Grace Zhou (National Research Council, CA)  | Slides, Recordings
• 15:40 | Questions & Answers  | Recordings
• 15:45 | Improving air quality in UK schools: SAMHE – Schools’ Air quality Monitoring for Health and Education, Henry Burridge (Imperial College London, UK)  | Slides, Recordings
• 16:00 | Questions & Answers  | Recordings
• 16:05 | Ventilation concepts in classrooms: Results of a long-term study in three elementary schools, Arno Dentel (Technische Hochschule Nürnberg, Germany)  | Slides, Recordings
• 16:20 | Questions & Answers  | Recordings
• 16:30 | End of webinar

For further information please scroll down to download the flyer and view the recordings..