A Study Of Indoor Air Pollutants And Thermal Comfort In High School Classrooms

People pay more attention to the indoor air quality of the classrooms in China now, which influences the health and study efficiency of the students. The indoor air quality and thermal comfort in a high school classroom in Tianjin, China, was studied. We measured the concentration of NH(3), NO(2), H(2)S, CO, CO(2) and O(3) in the classrooms. The result indicated the carbon dioxide and ammonia were serious pollutants in the classrooms. Students in the classroom produced the carbon dioxide, but ammonia was volatized from antifreezes used in the concrete constructing period in winter before. It is also important to provide a more comfortable thermal environment for improving the performance of the students. During the late October 2003, 147 Subjects, who learned in this school, were chosen to investigate their thermal comfort in the naturally ventilated classrooms, while simultaneously measuring the indoor climate parameters. 89% students were satisfied with the temperature and R.H. of the indoor environment. Based on the recommended 80% of acceptability, the indoor air thermal environment is acceptable. But some students also complained some illnesses, such as headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, thirsty and odor complaints, especially the low R.H. air climate. We also compare the result with other similar field studies by other researcher and gain some useful suggestions for the school indoor environment.