Building and indoor environmental quality assessment of Nigerian primary schools: A pilot study

Resource type
Journal Article
Authors/contributors
Title
Building and indoor environmental quality assessment of Nigerian primary schools: A pilot study
Abstract
A total of 15 classrooms went through on-site assessments/inspections, including measurements of temperature (T), and concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). In addition, the level of surface biocontamination/cleaning effectiveness was assessed by measuring adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels on students' desks. Based on the data, the quality of facilities in the buildings was low. Classroom occupancy exceeded ASHRAE 50 person/100 m2 standard in all cases indicating overcrowding. However, concentrations of CO2 remained below 1000 ppm in most classrooms. On the other hand, indoor T was above the recommended levels for thermal comfort in all classrooms. Maximum indoor CO was 6 ppm. Median ATP concentrations on the desk tops were moderately high in all schools. The use of open incinerators and power generator sets near classrooms, which was suspected to be the main source of CO, should be discouraged. Improved hygiene could be achieved by providing the students access to functioning bathroom facilities and cafeteria, and by effective cleaning of high contact surfaces such as desks. Although ventilation seems adequate based on CO2 concentrations, thermal comfort was not attained especially in the afternoon during extreme sunlight. Therefore, installing passive and/or mechanical cooling systems should be considered in this regard.
Publication
Indoor Air
Volume
29
Issue
3
Pages
510-520
Date
2019
Journal Abbr
Indoor Air
Language
en
ISSN
1600-0668
Short Title
Building and indoor environmental quality assessment of Nigerian primary schools
Accessed
21/03/2023, 16:41
Library Catalogue
Wiley Online Library
Extra
Citation
Toyinbo, O., Phipatanakul, W., Shaughnessy, R., & Haverinen-Shaughnessy, U. (2019). Building and indoor environmental quality assessment of Nigerian primary schools: A pilot study. Indoor Air, 29(3), 510–520. https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12547