Air pollution and allergens in two South East Queensland schools

The school environment is important for determining a child's exposure to air pollutants and allergens as a large proportion of their time is spent there. This study provides descriptive data on children's exposure to air pollutants (particles and ozone) and allergens (fungi, dust mite and cockroach allergen) based on a small pilot study of two primary schools in South East Queensland. Monitoring revealed that the levels of both dust mite and cockroach allergen were low for both schools. There was no seasonal difference between the fungi levels, though temporal variations were found. The particle concentrations varied both temporally and spatially within and between the schools. Spatial variations for ozone were assessed and no significant difference was found between the two schools. Differences in the indoor levels of particles and ozone were found when compared to the ambient fixed site air pollution levels.