Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INCHILDHEALTH (IDENTIFYING DETERMINANTS FOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND THEIR HEALTH IMPACT IN ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN: MEASURES TO IMPROVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND REDUCE DISEASE BURDENS.)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-09-01 bis 2024-02-29
The InChildHealth project aims to seamlessly blend research from health, environmental, technical, and social sciences to uncover the factors affecting Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and assess their repercussions within spaces frequented by school children. Our focus encompasses a spectrum of elements including chemicals, particle concentrations, microorganisms, and various physical parameters within school premises, residences, sports facilities, and transportation settings. The IAQ levels within these spaces significantly impact the exposure of children to potentially harmful agents, directly influencing their overall health and well-being. To achieve our objectives, the InChildHealth initiative has assembled a team of proficient and interdisciplinary experts spanning microbiology, medicine, social sciences, chemistry, heating and ventilation, as well as technology development.
This project offers a comprehensive approach to monitoring indoor air quality and assessing associated risks within school environments. We developed harmonized walkthrough surveys for homes and schools to identify pollutant sources. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were established for sampling and analyzing microbiological, chemical, and physical measurements. Initial findings in schools revealed that microbial contamination is influenced by environmental factors such as cleaning practices, occupancy rates, and ventilation conditions. Moreover, we discovered that PM10, PM2.5 data from fixed monitoring stations inadequately represent children’s exposure within school premises, emphasizing the necessity for indoor/outdoor data collection at school sites.
In our investigation of nine commercial cleaning products, chlorine bleach was found to emit elevated levels of ultrafine particles. To assess associated risks, we developed An Integrated Risk Assessment Tool and a burden of disease model. Additionally, we designed real-time monitoring devices and a passive sampler system utilizing silicone wristbands for enhanced air pollutant detection.
These insights are invaluable for enhancing indoor air quality and minimizing health risks in school environments. We have provided scientific evidence supporting the selection of cleaning products suitable for indoor use. Furthermore, we concluded that PM10, PM2.5 data from fixed monitoring stations is inadequate for gauging the variability of children’s exposure within school premises, necessitating indoor / outdoor measurements as a crucial component in assessing potential health effects.
Furthermore, we’ve established protocols and methods for epidemiological studies in three cities, all of which have received ethical approval. Additionally, we’ve developed protocols for five cell models including lung, liver, kidney, immune cells and neurons to be used for in vitro toxicity screening of samples collected from schools.
Three real-time monitoring devices have been developed to measure indoor air quality. One device is designed for fixed air quality monitoring, while the other two are mobile sensors capable of monitoring parameters including CO2, PM, NOx, VOC, O3, RH, and temperature, with an integrated GPS system. Additionally, the software of the system considers environmental conditions during measurement and minimizes the impact of relative humidity (RH) on recorded PM concentration data. Furthermore, a passive sampler system based on silicone wristbands (IPL and AU) was tested and optimized for advanced monitoring of air pollutants affecting children.
In our investigation of nine commercial cleaning products, chlorine bleach was found to emit elevated levels of ultrafine particles. To assess associated risks, we developed An Integrated Risk Assessment Tool and a burden of disease model. Additionally, we designed real-time monitoring devices and a passive sampler system utilizing silicone wristbands for enhanced air pollutant detection.
These insights are invaluable for enhancing indoor air quality and minimizing health risks in school environments. We have provided scientific evidence supporting the selection of cleaning products suitable for indoor use. Furthermore, we concluded that PM10, PM2.5 data from fixed monitoring stations is inadequate for gauging the variability of children’s exposure within school premises, necessitating indoor / outdoor measurements as a crucial component in assessing potential health effects.
Furthermore, we’ve established protocols and methods for epidemiological studies in three cities, all of which have received ethical approval. Additionally, we’ve developed protocols for five cell models including lung, liver, kidney, immune cells and neurons to be used for in vitro toxicity screening of samples collected from schools.
Three real-time monitoring devices have been developed to measure indoor air quality. One device is designed for fixed air quality monitoring, while the other two are mobile sensors capable of monitoring parameters including CO2, PM, NOx, VOC, O3, RH, and temperature, with an integrated GPS system. Additionally, the software of the system considers environmental conditions during measurement and minimizes the impact of relative humidity (RH) on recorded PM concentration data. Furthermore, a passive sampler system based on silicone wristbands (IPL and AU) was tested and optimized for advanced monitoring of air pollutants affecting children.
The harmonized walkthrough survey has been developed to identify potential indoor air pollution sources and factors affecting air quality. A laboratory emission test of everyday cleaning products has been conducted. These tests will help identify the types and concentrations of pollutants emitted by these products, allowing us to recommend which products are more suitable for indoor use.
Citizen science modules have been created through the collaborative efforts of all project partners, who worked together to design, pre-test, and translate social impact questionnaires for students and guidelines for teacher interviews. These citizen science modules enable students to engage with our research endeavours in various ways. They range from hands-on activities that support researchers in collecting and analysing indoor air quality (IAQ) data to opportunities for students to define their own research questions and conduct projects on IAQ and related mitigation measures.
Regular updates are shared on our website (https://inchildhealth.eu/(öffnet in neuem Fenster)) and social media platforms. These updates help promote various aspects of the project, including citizen science activities, research findings and publications, project partners, press releases, and activities within the IDEAL cluster.
Citizen science modules have been created through the collaborative efforts of all project partners, who worked together to design, pre-test, and translate social impact questionnaires for students and guidelines for teacher interviews. These citizen science modules enable students to engage with our research endeavours in various ways. They range from hands-on activities that support researchers in collecting and analysing indoor air quality (IAQ) data to opportunities for students to define their own research questions and conduct projects on IAQ and related mitigation measures.
Regular updates are shared on our website (https://inchildhealth.eu/(öffnet in neuem Fenster)) and social media platforms. These updates help promote various aspects of the project, including citizen science activities, research findings and publications, project partners, press releases, and activities within the IDEAL cluster.