An overview of indoor air pollution in the Malaysian kindergarten environment
Document Type
Conference Item
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Abstract
The components of indoor air determine the quality of the indoor environment, which affects the health and well-being of inhabitants. Exposure to high levels of indoor air pollution in a kindergarten environment has a detrimental influence on children's learning performance and increases the risk of respiratory problems that could lead to absenteeism. This paper explores and summarises the literature on indoor air pollution in kindergartens in the Malaysian environment. A review was done by analyzing papers taken from four electronic databases: Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed and Google Scholar. Information on indoor pollution levels and determinants sources were extracted from 17 studies. The most investigated pollutants were carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), fungi and bacteria. Inadequate ventilation systems and overcrowded classrooms all contributed to excessive CO2 levels. Indoor PM2.5 sources are generated from cooking activities while cleaning, opening windows and movement activities of children were the primary sources of coarse particles. High concentrations of VOCs are emitted from a wide variety of indoor sources. Mobile vehicles and the proximity of kindergartens to busy roads were key contributors to higher CO concentrations. The findings highlight the importance of interventions to improve indoor air pollution in kindergarten premises in various settings. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.
Keywords
Indoor environment, Kindergarten, Malaysian environment, Carbon dioxide (CO2), Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Carbon monoxide (CO)
Divisions
BuiltEnvironment
Funders
IPPP,Institute of Research Management and Services,Universiti Malaya [Grant No: IIRG015A-2019]
Publication Title
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
Volume
1013
Issue
1
Publisher
Institute of Physics
Event Title
1st International Conference of Air Quality and Climate Change, AQCC 2021 and 3rd Malaysia Air Quality Annual Symposium, MAQAS 2021
Event Type
conference