Indoor air quality in old and new schools

It has been demonstrated that air pollution is associated with a wide variety of health impacts in humans, especially among the elderly and children. In this preliminary study the exposure levels of formaldehyde, particulate matter with a size less than 2.5 mu m in diameter (PM2.5), number of ultra fine particles as well as indoor temperature and relative humidity were measured in six primary schools (three old and three new schools). A total of 20 classrooms were monitored twice a week, at the beginning and at the end of the week. The aim of this study was to compare exposure levels to selected indoor air pollutants between old and new schools located within the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia. According to the findings the formaldehyde levels were higher than maximum permissible levels recommended by NHMRC in 45% of samples in old schools and 67% of the samples in new schools. In regards to PM2.5 concentrations, most samples were lower than the WHO guideline value of 25 mu g/m(3) (24 hour exposure). In terms of ultra fine particles, generally old schools had a higher number of ultrafine particles.