查看文章

Poor air quality in schools has been associated with adverse health effects. Indoor air quality can be improved by increasing ventilation. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different interventions to improve ventilation behavior in primary schools. We used indoor CO2 concentrations as an indicator. In 81 classes of 20 Dutch primary schools, we applied three different interventions:(i) a class-specific ventilation advice;(ii) the advice combined with a CO2 warning device and (iii) the advice combined with a teaching package. The effectiveness of the interventions was tested directly after intervention and 6 weeks after intervention by measuring the CO2 concentrations and comparison with a control group (iv). Before intervention, the CO2 concentration exceeded 1000 ppm for 64% of the school day. The class-specific ventilation advice without further support appeared an ineffective tool to improve ventilation behavior. The advice in combination with a CO2 warning device or the teaching package proved effective tools and resulted in lower indoor CO2 concentrations when compared with the control group. Ventilation was significantly improved, but CO2 concentrations still exceeded 1000 ppm for more than 40% of the school day. Hence, until ventilation facilities are upgraded, the CO2 warning device and the teaching package are useful low-cost tools.