Ventilation Rates in Schools and Children’s Learning Performance

Zsolt Bakó-Biró School of Construction Management and Engineering

Research Team

Prof. Derek Clements-Croom (SCME, University of Reading) Dr. Hazim Awbi (SCME, University of Reading) Dr. Marylin Williams (School of Psychology , University of Reading) Dr. David Coley (Centre for Energy & Environment, University of Exeter) Dr. Neena Kochhar (SCME, University of Reading) Dr. Zsolt Bakó-Biró (SCME, University of Reading)

Objectives

To extend our knowledge about IAQ and typical ventilation rates in school environments To determine a direct relationship between IAQ and pupils’ learning performance.

Methods

School selection: 20 primary schools in Reading & Exeter Targeted age group: 9-11 years old children Measurements: objective & subjective evaluations (repeated design) (2-3 weeks / school for 2 years) Intervention: to increase the ventilation rates above 8 L/s per person

Physical measurements

Continuous monitoring  Air temperature & Relative Humidity (RH)  Globe temperature  Air velocity   Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) Airborne particles (PM1, PM2.5, PM10)  Lighting Spot measurements:  Noise level  Ozone level (Indoors/Outdoors)  Air change rate (SF6), TVOC, Selected VOCs

Data collection

Classroom setup

Classroom setup

Subjective evaluations

Classroom environment Air stuffy Air fresh Air humid Classroom dark Classroom noisy Air dry Classroom bright Classroom quiet

Subjective evaluations

SBS symptoms & other questions Nose blocked Nose clear Nose dry Nose running Mouth dry Throat dry Eyes dry Eyes itchy Mouth not dry Throat not dry Eyes not dry Eyes not itchy

Subjective evaluations

SBS symptoms & other questions Headache Dreamy Dizzy Tired Sleepy Slept bad Hungry Feeling bad Do not feel like working today No Headache Attentive Not dizzy Not tired Alert Slept good Full Feeling good Feel like working today

Pupils’ Performance Tests

Computerised Assessment Tests (CAT) (attention, concentration and memory) 24 pupils/classroom groups of 6-8 people Pen and Paper (school based) performance activities

CAT - battery

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Simple Reaction Time Choice Reaction Time Colour Word Vigilance Digit classification Digit-symbol matching Reaction time - addition Digit span memory Picture recall memory Verbal Reasoning Words recognition Attention / vigilance Perceptual speed Speed of mental arithmetic Working memory Language based

CAT battery

Simple Reaction Time:

0 Time (sec)

16 signals / minute. Randomized intervals between 2 – 5 seconds

60

CAT battery

Choice Reaction Time: 16 signals / minute. Randomized intervals between 2 – 5 seconds

CAT battery

Colour Word Vigilance Test response is required only to a minority of the signals

Red Yellow

Blue

White

Red

Yellow Blue White

30 signals / minute at constant intervals Random distribution within each sequence of 16 stimuli

Pen and Paper (school based) Activities

Math based:

Addition:

26 + 97 or 346 + 472

Subtraction:

86 47 or 736 472

Multiplication:

8 x 264

Number comparison:

326548 326248 264269 264269 756517 756317

False

x x

Pen and Paper (school based) Activities

Language-based:

Logical reasoning: AB BA Statement A does not precede B B is followed by A True False x x

Outcomes

To recommend suitable ventilation rates for classrooms.

To examine the suitability of the air quality guidelines for classrooms based on the results obtained To develop a website displaying the main research findings.

Thank You

Program interface

Interpretation