Journal of Pollution Effects & Control
Open Access

Abstract

A Comparison of the Seasonal Variations of Indoor Air Quality in Urban and Rural Primary School Classrooms in the Eastern Cape

Anye Chungag*, Werner Nel, Constance Rufaro Sewani-Rusike and Benedicta Ngwenchi Nkeh-Chungag

In addressing the challenges of indoor air quality, emphasis has frequently been laid on pollutant gases and air borne particles as compromisers and rarely on the prevalent meteorological conditions, known to cushion invading aerosols and enhance their role as certified indoor health hazards. Using classrooms as proxy for indoor environments, this study compared the seasonal effects of indoor air parameters in urban and rural primary schools. Health and comfort data were collected in rural and urban classrooms during winter and summer seasons. The results showed higher concentrations of gaseous pollutants and particulate matter in winter compared to summer. Comfort parameters showed a marked dissimilarity in both seasons, dew point Temperature (Tdp) recorded 8.51°C in winter compared to 16.1°C in summer in the rural schools. In urban schools Tdp was 9.62°C compared to 13.8°C in summer. Barometric pressure (Bp) was 722 mmHg and 761.1 mmHg for rural and urban schools in winter compared to 718 mmHg and 754.4 mmHg in summer. Relative humidity and carbon dioxide showed similar trends. The study, ceteris paribus deduced, the most stressful times for learners were the winter seasons, when the high levels of comfort parameters (Tdp, Twb, RH and Bp) associate with high concentrations of pollutant gases (CO₂ and NO₂) and particulate matter (PM_2.5, PM₅ and PM₁₀) in classrooms.

Published Date: 2024-06-12; Received Date: 2020-02-12