Indoor air monitoring ‘just as important than outdoor testing’

Air monitoring indoors is just as important as outdoor testing, according to a new study in the Arab Emirates, which found that poor air quality in classrooms is exposing students to several health problems including respiratory illness.

The researchers tested four government schools and found that in each of them, air quality fell short of what was expected in the national guidelines. This is a pressing issue because the air indoors can be trapped for much longer than outside, with less room to circulate and reduced ventilation.

Indoor air quality isn’t just a problem in schools. Indeed, most public areas may contain air pollution that circulates within its confines for extended periods of time. The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (Ead) have become increasingly aware of this, and in 2009 they announced a plan to fund research to study air quality in 600 homes across the United Arab Emirates.

Dr Moshood Fadeyi, the author of the study, which is set to be published in the International Journal of Architectural Engineering and Design Management told The National: "We talk a lot about energy, water, outdoor air quality - all of which are important - but not about indoor air quality."

This was echoed in the results of the classroom study, which found the level of volatile compounds such as paints, building materials and cleaning products was four-times the acceptable standard, while carbon dioxide levels were at 1,500 parts per million, well above the 1,000 ppm maximum.

The Ead has set out the top priorities for the near future in a recent statement. Chief concerns for the agency are things such as monitoring the quality of the air and of seawater, and the health of land ecosystems. These objectives reflect global concerns in terms of the environment, but seem to be missing out indoor health concerns which are just as significant.

In the future, countries in the UAE and elsewhere may need to look into well-designed testing, attentive monitoring and other efforts to remedy problems indoors.

Posted by Claire Manning