Indoor environmental quality of primary schools: unraveling the improvements that still need to be done! [PT: Qualidade ambiental no interior das salas de aula no 1º ciclo: revelando as melhorias que precisam ser feitas!].

Abstract

The study addresses the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) of primary school classrooms, with a focus on Carbon dioxide, Temperature, Humidity, and Illuminance. Data was collected from four classrooms in a Southern European country during May 2022. The study aims to understand differences in IEQ among classrooms and time periods. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and pairwise comparisons were used to analyze the Conformity Rate Indicator (CRI) for each parameter, indicating adherence to desirable IEQ levels. Results show that CO2 levels are generally acceptable, except for one classroom. Temperature conforms in two classrooms, while Humidity is consistently above recommended levels. Significant differences exist among classrooms, particularly in Temperature and Illuminance. Time-period analysis reveals critical fluctuations in CO2 and Illuminance. Results show great variability in different indicators, with a severe and unstable trend of worsening indicators throughout the day, reaching dangerous rates.