{"id":4779,"date":"2024-09-18T08:59:22","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T08:59:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocram-clima.com\/?p=4779"},"modified":"2024-09-18T08:59:22","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T08:59:22","slug":"the-importance-of-indoor-air-quality-in-educational-establishments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ocram-clima.com\/en\/the-importance-of-indoor-air-quality-in-educational-establishments\/","title":{"rendered":"The importance of indoor air quality in educational establishments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In educational establishments, such as schools and universities, it is essential to ensure the importance of indoor air quality, a crucial factor for our health and well-being. Studies have shown that school spaces with inadequate ventilation tend to have higher absenteeism and students with difficulties focusing, which jeopardises academic performance. <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Indoor Air Quality<\/h2>\n\n

The acronym IAQ refers to the assessment and control of air quality in indoor environments such as schools, universities, hospitals and other enclosed spaces. IAQ is important because the air we breathe inside these places can contain a variety of pollutants and contaminants that affect people’s health and well-being. <\/p>\n\n

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On average, a human being spends between 80 and 90 per cent of their time indoors, where the air contamination in these places can be up to 2 to 5 times more polluting than the air outside. The main indoor air pollutants include: volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO\u2082), ozone (O\u2083), mould and fungi.<\/p>\n\n

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Decree-Law 101-D\/2020<\/strong><\/a>, of 7 December, establishes requirements related to indoor air quality that must be met to guarantee a healthy environment, setting specific limits for the concentration of pollutants and other variables that affect air quality. <\/p>\n\n

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The decree-law applies to all buildings used for commerce and services. In addition, it specifically includes large commercial and service buildings, as well as those housing cr\u00e8ches, pre-school establishments, primary schools and residential facilities for the elderly. <\/p>\n\n

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IAQ in educational establishments<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n

With the expansion of access to education and the need for broader training, there has been a gradual increase in teaching hours. Portugal has the highest school workload figures in Europe, where primary school children spend around 1,000 hours a year in a classroom. In addition to the costly time spent in schools, children tend to be more vulnerable to air pollutants than adults, due to their still-developing respiratory systems. <\/p>\n\n

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Good IAQ is important for maintaining the health and well-being of pupils, as well as all teachers and staff, thus improving cognitive and physical development: <\/p>\n\n