Katherine Curran’s research while affiliated with University College London and other places

Many indoor air pollutants have been demonstrated to have a negative impact on occupants and due to physiological and behavioural differences, young children are more vulnerable to these effects than adults. Millions of children in the UK spend large parts of the day in nurseries, where occupant density is high, and indoor air quality can be poor. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the quality of indoor air in nurseries and how to improve it. The aims of the research presented here were to explore the indoor air quality (IAQ) in nurseries and the impact of both the use of air purifiers and window operations on IAQ. Three nurseries in London were selected and monitored via both continuous air quality sensors and passive sampling covering a total of 21 pollutants. Key findings include that mean reduction rate of PM2.5 by using air purifier was 63% with window closed, and 46% with window open. The results also highlight the impacts of operational changes implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. Windows were operated more frequently for ventilation needs rather than being driven by temperature alone. The increased ventilation in the monitored nurseries in London led to low levels of VOCs and aldehydes (except for formaldehyde and 2-ethylhexanol) but could bring thermal discomfort to occupants. Both temperature and noise levels were shown to be relevant factors impacting the operation of air purifiers. Air purifiers can be effective at reducing PM2.5 when combined with proper window operation and have potential to bring substantial health benefits.

Considering the alarming rise in the rate of asthma and respiratory diseases among school children, it is of great importance to investigate all probable causes. Outside of the home, children spend most of their time in school. Many studies have researched the indoor environmental quality of primary and secondary school buildings to determine the exposure of school children to indoor air pollution. However, studies of very young children in nurseries are scarce. Unlike at elementary schools or universities, children in nurseries are more vulnerable due to their physiology, inability to articulate discomfort and to adapt their behaviour to avoid exposures. This article reviews current studies on the indoor environment in nurseries. It summarizes air pollution levels and related environmental and behavioural factors in nurseries that have been reported in the literature. Additionally, exposure to indoor air pollution and related potential health outcomes are examined. This review concludes that indoor air pollution in nurseries often exceeds current guidelines, and designers and policymakers should be made aware of the impact on the health and wellbeing of children in nurseries. Proper interventions and guidelines should be considered to create a healthy indoor environment for nursery children. Practical application: Previous IAQ assessments have mainly focused on indoor temperatures and CO 2 levels. Data on comprehensive monitoring (including PMs, NO 2 , O 3 and other pollutants) of indoor air quality of nurseries are scarce. Particularly in the UK, studies about indoor air quality in nurseries have not been founded. This paper categorized relevant articles according to the focus of the study, to provide evidence to a better understanding of current indoor air quality in nursery environments.