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Indoor exposure to bioaerosol particles: levels and implications for inhalation dose rates in schoolchildren

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Abstract

Children spend most of their time inside schools and bioaerosol particles are part of their everyday environment. Although bioaerosol particles are considered to be a potential risk factor for various health concerns, information concerning the indoor exposures and inhalation doses is still limited. This study aimed (i) to quantify bacterial and fungal particles levels in indoor and outdoor air of public primary schools, (ii) to assess the influence of ambient air on bacteria and fungi presence indoors, and (iii) to estimate the inhalation dose rates for respective children (8–10 years old) in comparison with adult staff. Air samples were collected in 20 primary schools in a total of 71 classrooms during heating season with a microbiological air sampler. The results showed that indoor bacterial and fungal concentrations were higher than outdoor levels (p < 0.05), which could be explained by differences in density of occupation, occupant’s activities, and inadequate ventilation. CO2 levels were significantly correlated with indoor bacteria concentrations. Moreover, mean indoor bacteria concentrations were above national limit values in all the evaluated Porto primary schools, from two to nine times higher. Regarding fungi concentrations, indoor levels were above the reference value in 75% of the schools and overall indoor levels registered a 3-fold increase compared with outdoor values. Children had two times higher inhalation dose rates to bioaerosol particles when compared to adult individuals. Thus, due to their susceptibility, special attention should be given to educational settings in order to guarantee the children healthy development.

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Funding

This study received funding from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) through the scholarship SFRH/BPD/115112/2016 (Joana Madureira).

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Author notes

  1. Joana Madureira and Lívia Aguiar contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Health, Environmental Health Department, Rua Alexandre Herculano, 321, 4000-055, Porto, Portugal

    Joana Madureira, Lívia Aguiar, Cristiana Pereira, Ana Mendes, Micaela Machado Querido, Paula Neves & João Paulo Teixeira

  2. EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal

    Joana Madureira, Cristiana Pereira, Ana Mendes, Micaela Machado Querido & João Paulo Teixeira

Authors
  1. Joana Madureira
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  2. Lívia Aguiar
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  4. Ana Mendes
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  5. Micaela Machado Querido
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  6. Paula Neves
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  7. João Paulo Teixeira
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Correspondence to Joana Madureira or Cristiana Pereira.

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Madureira, J., Aguiar, L., Pereira, C. et al. Indoor exposure to bioaerosol particles: levels and implications for inhalation dose rates in schoolchildren. Air Qual Atmos Health 11, 955–964 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-018-0599-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-018-0599-8

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