CO 2 Levels in Classrooms: What Actions to Take to Improve the Quality of Environments and Spaces

Gaetano Settimo (), Luciana Indinnimeo, Marco Inglessis, Marco De Felice, Roberta Morlino, Annalisa di Coste, Fabiana Carriera, Cristina Di Fiore and Pasquale Avino ()
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Gaetano Settimo: Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, IT-00185 Rome, Italy
Luciana Indinnimeo: Department of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Policlinico Umberto I, University of Rome La Sapienza, Viale Regina Elena 324, IT-00161 Rome, Italy
Marco Inglessis: Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, IT-00185 Rome, Italy
Marco De Felice: Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, IT-00185 Rome, Italy
Roberta Morlino: Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, IT-00185 Rome, Italy
Annalisa di Coste: Department of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Policlinico Umberto I, University of Rome La Sapienza, Viale Regina Elena 324, IT-00161 Rome, Italy
Fabiana Carriera: Department of Agriculture, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis, IT-86100 Campobasso, Italy
Cristina Di Fiore: Department of Agriculture, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis, IT-86100 Campobasso, Italy
Pasquale Avino: Department of Agriculture, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis, IT-86100 Campobasso, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-15

Abstract: Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a crucial priority, especially since people spend most of their time indoors. Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air due to sources such as building materials, cleaning products, and heating systems. This condition can affect health and productivity, especially in schools and work environments. Students spend about a third of their day in classrooms, and studies have shown that poor IAQ can cause respiratory and allergic problems, especially among children, who are more vulnerable. Poor ventilation and excessive CO 2 concentration are indicators of suboptimal indoor air quality, which can lead to symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and worsening asthma. In Italy, the lack of specific legislation on indoor air quality in schools is a problem, but improved ventilation, both natural and mechanical, and monitoring of CO 2 levels are recommended to prevent negative health consequences. This paper aims to describe a methodology to improve IAQ in schools. The paper discusses the results of a study conducted on CO 2 and PM 10 levels measured in real time in cold season (Nov–Mar) in different classrooms of primary and secondary schools present in a large Italian urban area in order to understand the IAQ state and identify possible improvement actions.

Keywords: indoor air quality; CO 2; PM 10; school; public health; energy efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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