According to an announcement, this study is the first survey conducted on a representative sample of the school population in Cyprus (42 primary schools from all provinces) to assess quality of indoor air in primary school classrooms during the hot season of May-July.
Specifically, it is reported that the STEPS study was conducted in May-July 2021, a period during which a specific sanitary protocol COVID-19 was in place for the operation of schools. Using questionnaires, school/classroom characteristics were collected and using sensors, levels of environmental parameters were assessed for 24 or 48 hours outdoors and indoors (two classes per school) in public primary schools in densely populated areas (degree of urbanisation 1 and 2) in Cyprus.
The results showed that during the period of sample collection, natural ventilation of classrooms with open windows and doors during class hours helped to maintain the ventilation index (CO2) at acceptable levels. "However," the statement noted, "for most of the school day (85%), the air temperature inside classrooms exceeded the recommended maximum limit (27°C)."
Regarding the presence of particulate matter in the air, it noted that one third of PM2.5 measurements inside classrooms exceeded 15 µg/m3 (recommended value per 24-hour period).
Presenting the characteristics of the 42 public primary schools in all provinces of Cyprus and the classes that took part in the survey, the research team reports that fans were present in 90% of the classes and on average 45-63% of the total classroom fans (1-2 fans) were operating, usually after the first break. It should be noted that there was an air conditioner in 11% of the classrooms and the average use of an air conditioner during the school day was almost zero (average number of air conditioners in operation: 0-0.1)
It was also reported that all classrooms (84) were cleaned daily, while bleach was used in 81% of schools. It is noted that of the schools that used bleach, 77% of schools used bleach on a daily basis. It is also reported that more than half of the classrooms (55%) had two doors and, on average, 86-91% of the classroom door(s) were open throughout the school day. Finally, it is reported that the average number of open windows in the classroom during the school day was 4 (56-59% of the total number of windows in the classroom).
The research team noted in its statement that "further research is needed to better understand the dynamic interaction of environmental parameters in combination with indicators of health or prevention of transmission of viruses and germs in the indoor school environment, taking into account both policies responding to the climate crisis and health protocols."
The study was conducted by the Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Informatics of CUT, in collaboration with Lelantus Innovations Ltd and Phoebe Research & Innovation Ltd.
The research team also notes that the objectives of the study were to describe the levels and variations of a number of air quality parameters [AIR TEMPERATURE, RELATIVE HUMIDITY (RH), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM), CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) AND VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCS)] in public primary school classrooms located in densely populated areas of all provinces of Cyprus, during the period May-July 2021. The aim was also to compare the levels of air quality parameters between indoor and outdoor classrooms, as well as the levels of air quality parameters inside the classrooms with the levels recommended by authoritative international organisations.
Source: CNA
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