Indoor air quality in Michigan schools

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters in 64 elementary and middle school classrooms in Michigan were examined for the purposes of assessing ventilation rates, levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and bioaerosols, air quality differences within and between schools, and emission sources. In each classroom, bioaerosols, VOCs, CO(2), relative humidity, and temperature were monitored over one workweek, and a comprehensive walkthough survey was completed. Ventilation rates were derived from CO(2) and occupancy data. Ventilation was poor in many of the tested classrooms, e.g., CO(2) concentrations often exceeded 1000 ppm and sometimes 3000 ppm. Most VOCs had low concentrations (mean of individual species <4.5 microg/m(3)); bioaerosol concentrations were moderate (<6500 count per m(3) indoors, <41,000 count per m(3) outdoors). The variability of CO(2), VOC, and bioaerosol concentrations within schools exceeded the variability between schools. These findings suggest that none of the sampled rooms were contaminated and that no building-wide contamination sources were present. However, localized IAQ problems might remain in spaces where contaminant sources are concentrated and that are poorly ventilated.

Practical implications: Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a continuing concern for students, parents, teachers, and school staff, leading to many complaints regarding poor IAQ. Investigations of these complaints often include air sampling, which must be carefully conducted if representative data are to be collected. To better understand sampling results, investigators need to account for the variability of contaminants both within and between schools.