1. CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056, Lisbon, Portugal
2. Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE, Rua Jacinta Marto, 1169-045 Lisbon, Portugal
3. Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil, Avenida Brasil, 101, 1700-066 Lisbon, Portugal
4. Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campus da Caparica, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
5. Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge – Lisboa, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
6. Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge – Porto, Rua Alexandre Herculano, 321, 4000-055 Oporto, Portugal
7. Departamento de Bioestatística e Informática, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056, Lisbon, CEAUL, Portugal
8. Centro de Investigação, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE, Rua Jacinta Marto, 1169-045 Lisbon, Portugal
9. Hospital da Luz, Avenida Lusíada, 100, 1500-650, Lisbon, Portugal 10. INSERM, UMR S 707: EPAR, Paris, F-75012 France
Rev Port Pneumol.2014;20(6):311---323
Background: Indoor air quality (IAQ) is considered an important determinant of human health. The association between exposure to volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, house dust mite, molds and bacteria in day care centres (DCC) is not completely clear. The aim of this study was to study those effects.
Methods – study design: This study comprised two Phases. Phase I included an evaluation of 45 DCCs (25 from Lisbon and 20 from Oporto, targeting 5,161 children). In this Phase, building characteristics, indoor CO2 and air temperature / relative humidity, were assessed. A children’s respiratory health questionnaire derived from the ISAAC (International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Children) was also distributed. Phase II encompassed two evaluations and included 20 DCCs selected from phase I after a cluster analysis (11from Lisbon and 9 from Oporto, targeting 2,287 children).. In this Phase, data on ventilation, IAQ, thermal comfort parameters, respiratory and allergic health, including airway inflammation biomarkers, respiratory virus infection patterns and parental and child stress, was collected.
Results: In Phase I, building characteristics, occupant behaviour and ventilation surrogates were collected from all DCCs. The response rate of the questionnaire was 61.7% (3,186 children). Phase II included 1,221 children. Association results between DCC characteristics, IAQ and health outcomes will be provided in order to support recommendations on IAQ and children’s health. A building ventilation model will also be developed.
Discussion: This paper outlines methods that might be implemented by other investigators conducting studies on the association between respiratory health and indoor air quality at DCC.
Palavras-chave: Airway inflammation; Building ventilation; Children day care centers; Environmental exposure;