Indoor Comfort -

Air Quality in

Schools

Presented by:

Mazen Chouihna: Abu Dhabi Education Council

Infrastructure and Facilities Division

Hicham Kabbage : Saint-Gobain Gyproc

Education Sector Developer

DID YOU KNOW ?

• Nearly 2 million people worldwide die prematurely from

illness attributed to indoor air pollution - World Health

Organizations (WHO)

• Indoor air quality will become the 3rd leading cause of death

worldwide by 2030 - World Health Organizations (WHO)

• Indoor air quality is 2 to 5 times and occasionally 100 times,

worse than outdoor air - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

AGENDA

1 - Why are children impacted by IAQ?

2 - How are they impacted?

3 - Types of indoor air pollutants

4 - Sources of indoor air pollutants

5 - Sources outside schools

6 - School building equipment and IAQ

7 - Common pollutants in schools

8 - Initiatives by the local government

9 - Summary

4

WHY ARE CHILDREN IMPACTED BY POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY?

1000 hours a year Weak immunity system Breath higher volume

per pound relative to

body weight

Exposure to put things in mouth

HOW CAN POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPACT STUDENTS?

Coughing Headache

Irritation of the eye Cause asthma Absenteeism

Reduced productivity

TYPES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS IN SCHOOLS

Particulates:

Tiny particles suspended in the air. Common particulates include residential pollen, dust mites, dust, smoke and dander (skin flakes). Particulate diameters are measured in microns and range from .001 to 1,000 microns.

Microbial

Bacteria, germs, viruses, fungi, spores and mold.

Gases

Indoor odors and gases, such as benzene, VOC, formaldehyde, chloroform, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, etc.

SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

IAQ

Gases/Vapors/Aerosols

Odors Minerals /

Metals

Biological Particulates

SOURCES OUTSIDE SCHOOLS

Other sources

• Industrial emissions

• Nearby sources

• Loading docks

• Underground sources

• Pesticides

Pollen Dust/Sand

Vehicle emission Fumes from dumpsters

Fertilizers

OTHER INDOOR SOURCES IN SCHOOLS

SCHOOL BUILDING EQUIPMENT

• Microbiological growth in drip pans,

ductwork, coils, and humidifiers

• Improper venting of combustion

products

• Dust or debris in ductwork

Heating, Ventilation, and Air-

Conditioning (HVAC) equipment

Non-HVAC equipment

• Emissions from office equipment

• Emissions from shops, labs, and

cleaning processes

• VOC (formaldehyde)

COMMON POLLUTANT IN SCHOOLS

Pollutant Major Indoor Sources Potential Health Effects*

Formaldehyde

Furnishings, flooring, wallpaper;

pressed wood products such as

plywood and particleboard

Headache; allergic reactions;

eye, nose, and throat irritation;

cancer

Carbon Monoxide

Tobacco smoke; wood stoves

and unvented or malfunctioning

gas appliances

Fatal at high concentrations;

impaired vision and mental

functioning; headache; nausea;

angina

Organic Chemicals

Aerosol sprays, dry cleaned

clothing; solvents; pesticides;

cleaning agents

Eye, nose and throat irritation;

headaches; loss of coordination;

damage to liver, kidney and brain

Nitrogen Oxides

Unvented or malfunctioning gas

appliances

Causes increased respiratory

infections in children; eye, nose,

and throat irritation

WHAT IS HAPPENING AT NATIONAL LEVEL ESTIDAMA

Four pillars of ESTIDAMA

Environmental

Social

Economic

Cultural

• Liveable Buildings: Improving the quality and connectivity of

outdoor and indoor spaces.

ADEC INITIATIVES TOWARDS HEALTHY IAQ IN SCHOOLS - LIVEABLE INDOORS

Healthy ventilation delivery

• Separation distances between outdoor air intakes and exhaust points comply with ASHRAE 62.1.2007 standards

• The design complies with ASHRAE 62.1 2007 ventilation rate procedures

Smoking control • The entire building is a non smoking environment • Signage stating ‘no smoking’ is posted at all entrances and roof tops

outside the school building.

Legionella prevention • Water spray systems are avoided. • Avoidance of water temperatures /conditions that favor legionella • Water stagnation is avoided & use of water treatment techniques • Maintenance of the cleanliness of the system

ADEC INITIATIVES TOWARDS A HEALTHY IAQ IN SCHOOLS MATERIAL EMISSIONS

Adhesives and Sealants •All adhesives & sealants are compliant /not exceed VOC limits (SCAQM: Rule 1168)

Paints and Coatings •All interior paints & coatings ≤ max VOC limit values as per Annex II, Phase II, Table A of European Directive 2004/42/CE: 2004

Carpet/Hard Flooring

•Carpet & cushions ≥ Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label/Green Label Plus Program/Greenguard IAQ (GGIAQ) for carpets

•Hard flooring systems & finishes must achieve FloorScore Certification or (GGIAQ) Certification

•Wood flooring products < class E1 for formaldehyde

Ceiling Systems •Ceiling systems comply with BS EN 13964: 2004 section 4.5

•All paints used for painted gypsum board comply with the requirements for paints & coatings

Formaldehyde reduction

• Internal construction materials are specified such that it does not exceed formaldehyde VOC content class E1 levels

CYCLE I SCHOOLS

ADEC

CYCLE II, III SCHOOLS ADEC

SUMMARY

• Why / How are children impacted by poor indoor air quality

• Types of indoor air pollutants in schools

• Particulates

• Microbial

• Gases

• Sources of indoor air pollutants

Formaldehyde a major concern in schools

• Initiatives by Abu Dhabi

• ESTIDAMA

• ADEC

BENEFITS FOR SCHOOL STAKEHOLDERS OFFERING GOOD IAQ

Peace of mind Less money spent on

children’s health

Trust

Parents:

Healthy/Active

students

Good grades

Students:

Good performance Healthy/Active

teachers

Teachers:

BENEFITS FOR SCHOOL STAKEHOLDERS OFFERING GOOD IAQ

Absenteeism Success rate Parents satisfaction

School reputation More school admissions

School operators:

ACTIV’AIR TECHNOLOGY

Thank you