Schools and day-care centers

Concentration of people means a greater risk of exposure to pathogens and a higher likelihood that infectious diseases will spread. Schools, day-care centers, universities are all places where young people are daily gathered together. Indoor hygiene is an extremely important factor when designing rooms and entire buildings for educational use. Hygiene is the most important factor to consider when choosing the best materials, technologies, furniture and equipment to use in environments designed for the education of all children from infants, to preschoolers, to teenagers.

Children are exposed to poor indoor environments in schools in many countries with issues including stuffy air, dampness and mold, uncomfortable temperatures and poorly functioning toilets. This not only causes negative effects on respiratory health and absenteeism but also reduces children’s academic performance and well-being.

Policies to improve indoor air quality in schools and kindergartens exist in most countries and include standards on ventilation. Poor ventilation and stuffy air in classrooms are common problems in some countries during the cold season.

Exposure to mold and dampness is also common in some countries. The adverse effects of such exposure on respiratory health are well established. Targeted interventions to address this should focus on problematic schools.

Most countries have comprehensive policies to improve sanitation and hygiene in schools and kindergartens. In low- and middle-income countries policies tend to be even more comprehensive than in high-income countries, with the exception of policies on privacy in toilets.

Improving sanitation and hygiene in schools remains a challenge in countries with limited resources. Poor infrastructure and inadequate maintenance of facilities are reasons behind pupils’ low satisfaction with toilets and hygiene facilities and their scarce use of them.

Children are often more susceptible to pollutants emitted from materials in school buildings than adults. This is because children breathe in more air and as a result are absorbing more chemicals that can be harmful to their growing bodies. With recent studies indicating students spend the equivalent of two to three of their formative years in school buildings, the need to improve indoor air quality is critical. But it’s not only the students that are at risk; poorly ventilated classrooms, high levels of CO₂, pollutants and contaminants can lead to loss of concentration, bad odors and irritation for adults and children alike, contributing to increased absenteeism.

Schools are for growing minds, not harboring bacteria. Schools are also more susceptible to mold and bacteria growth, in part, because e.g. HVAC units might be turned off during the summer months. This dramatically increases the moisture level in the building. Moisture also often builds up in naturally “wet” rooms like kitchens, bathrooms and shower areas and can be tough on the material in the room. It is important to maintain a hygienic environment.

VOCs are hydrocarbon compounds that have low boiling points, usually under 100°C, and therefore evaporate easily, even indoors. VOCs can be present in building materials and are considered harmful to health. Choosing a low-VOC products improves indoor air quality.

Light can impact a student’s performance, well-being and mood. Too much light can cause eye strain and make it hard to focus. Too little can lead to headaches, difficulty focusing and drowsiness. Appropriate lighting improves test scores and can even reduce poor behavior.