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Indoor Air

Title:		Indoor environmental quality in a 'low allergen' school and three standard primary schools in Western Australia
Author(s):		Zhang G; Spickett J; Rumchev K; Lee AH; Stick S;
Address:		"School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA, Australia. Bradz@ichr.uwa.edu.au"
Journal Title:		Indoor Air
Year:		2006
Volume:		16
Issue:		1
Page Number:		74 - 80
DOI:		10.1111/j.1600-0668.2005.00405.x
ISSN/ISBN:		0905-6947 (Print) 0905-6947 (Linking)
Abstract:		"To investigate indoor environmental quality in classrooms, assessments were undertaken in a 'low allergen' school and three standard primary schools in Western Australia. Dust allergens, air pollutants and physical parameters were monitored in the four schools at four times (summer school term, autumn holiday, winter school term and winter holiday) in 2002. The levels of particulate matter (PM(10)) and volatile organic compounds were similar between the four primary schools. Although slightly decreased levels of dust-mite and cat allergens were observed in the 'low allergen' school, the reductions were not statistically significant and the allergen levels in all schools were much lower than the recommended sensitizing thresholds. However, significantly lower levels of relative humidity and formaldehyde level during summer-term were recorded in the 'low allergen' school. In conclusion, the evidence here suggests that the 'low allergen' school did not significantly improve the indoor environmental quality in classrooms. Practical Implications School is an important environment for children in terms of exposure to pollutants and allergens. By assessing the levels of key pollutants and allergens in a low allergen school and three standard primary schools in Western Australia, this study provides useful information for implementation of healthy building design that can improve the indoor environment in schools"
Keywords:		"*Air Pollution, Indoor Allergens/*analysis Antigens, Dermatophagoides/analysis Arthropod Proteins Cysteine Endopeptidases Formaldehyde/analysis Glycoproteins/analysis Humans Particle Size *Schools Western Australia;"
Notes:		"MedlineZhang, G Spickett, J Rumchev, K Lee, A H Stick, S eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2006/01/20 Indoor Air. 2006 Feb; 16(1):74-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2005.00405.x"