Abstract Background Scarce information is available about the relationships between indoor air quality ( IAQ ) at day care centers ( DCC ), the estimated predisposition for asthma, and the actual wheezing susceptibility. Methods In the Phase II of ENVIRH study, 19 DCC were recruited after cluster analysis. Children were evaluated firstly using the ISAAC questionnaire and later by a follow‐up questionnaire about recent wheezing. A positive asthma predictive index ( API ) was considered as predisposition for asthma. Every DCC was audited for IAQ and monitored for chemical and biologic contaminants. Results We included 1191 children, with a median age of 43 (P 25 –P 75 : 25–58) months. Considering the overall sample, in the first questionnaire, associations were found between CO 2 concentration (increments of 200 ppm) and diagnosis of asthma ( OR : 1.10; 95% CI : 1.00–1.20). Each increment of 100 μg/m 3 of total volatile organic compounds ( TVOC ) and 1 μg of Der p1/g of dust were associated with wheezing in the previous 12 months ( OR : 1.06; 95% CI : 1.01–1.11 and OR : 1.06; 95% CI : 0.99–1.12, respectively). In the follow‐up questionnaire, TVOC were again associated with wheezing ( OR : 1.05; 95% CI : 1.00–1.11). Children exposed to fungal concentration above the 75th percentile had also higher odds of wheezing at follow‐up. TVOC were associated with wheezing in children with either negative or positive API . Conclusions IAQ in DCC seems to be associated with wheezing, in children with and without predisposition for asthma.
Children attending day care centers (CDCC) have been reported to be more prone to infectious diseases when compared with those cared for at home, and are exposed to conditions that may increase the risk of allergies and asthma. Several studies revealed that consequences of poor ventilation conditions include high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and many other indoor pollutants commonly detected in schools. Nine child day care centers were selected randomly to participate in this study. Fifty-two classrooms were assessed for chemical, biological, physical, and allergen parameters in spring and winter seasons in these nine CDCC located in Porto, Portugal. Outdoor measurements were also conducted for comparison. Our results indicated that (i) particulate matter (PM10) median levels were above the national reference levels, both by classroom type and by season; (ii) TVOC kindergarten peak values may raise some concern; (iii) CO2 was present at high median and maximum levels during spring and winter assessment in both nurseries and kindergartens classrooms; (iv) total bacteria concentrations were 57- and 52-fold higher in the nursery and kindergarten than outdoors, respectively, for the spring season; (v) winter and spring median predicted mean vote (PMV) indices were between "neutral" (0) and "slightly cool" (≤ –1) in the thermal sensation scale for comfort situations (−2 to 2) for both types of classrooms; (vi) there were significant differences for both PMV and predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD) indices by season; and (vii) CO2, total bacteria, and gram-negative bacteria were associated with low airflow rates. These data will help to evaluate the effectiveness of current building operation practices in child day care centers regarding indoor air quality and respiratory health.
Publicado em: Proceedings of CLIMA 2013 : 11th REHVA World Congress and the 8th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation and Energy Conservation in Buildings ; Prague 16th - 19th June, 2013, Paper ID 876.
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