Assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ) and risk of COVID-19 infection in Malaysian primary school

Muhamad Yusoff, Muhammad Aiman (2023) Assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ) and risk of COVID-19 infection in Malaysian primary school. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: Most schools in Malaysia are subjected to poor IAQ due to inadequate maintenance, ventilation and temperature control. Over 90% of all children who tested positive for COVID -19 had asymptomatic, mild or moderate infections, with less severe and critical cases (5.9%) compared to adults (18.5%). Poor housekeeping and ventilation system maintenance can lead to transmission of COVID -19 in school settings. The risk calculator can be used to assess the risks of individual infection and community transmission associated with different indoor environments such as tuberculosis, MERS-COV and SARSCOV-2. Objectives: This study aims to assess Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and risk of COVID-19 infection in Malaysian primary school. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at two primary schools in urban area of Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor. Three classrooms (naturally ventilated) from different floors and a library (mechanically ventilated) were chosen from two primary schools in Bandar Baru Bangi. HOBO MX CO2 Logger MX1102 and TSI DustTrak II Handheld Aerosol Monitor 8532 were placed during the 6 hours of school period for the assessment. The risk of COVID-19 infection is calculated using Airborne Infection Risk Calculator Version 3. The correlation analysis was carried out to determine the relationship between the parameters and the risk of infection. Results and Discussion: The highest average PM2.5 and CO2 concentration found in Class 1 (Median = 106.50 μg/m3, IQR = 89.63 μg/m3) and Class 3 (Median = 481.25 ppm, IQR = 112.90 ppm) in PS 2 due to the nearest access to the main road. However, the CO2 concentration is within the acceptable limits in PS 1 and PS 2. Meanwhile, all parameters exceeded the limit with the highest average temperature (°C) being located at Class 3 in PS 1 (Median = 29.61 °C, IQR = 1.89 °C). The highest percentage of COVID -19 risk infection during rest and talking was in the library in PS 2 (19.0 %) with an exposure time of 6 hours. A weak positive correlation was seen in the correlation between CO2 and PM2.5 with COVID -19 risk of infection for 6 hours exposure time. Meanwhile, a negative correlation was found between temperature and relative humidity and infection risk. Conclusion: This study suggests that how poor IAQ management in primary schools can influence the risk of COVID-19 infection among school children especially in an enclosed space such as library. The lower the temperature and relative humidity, the higher the risk of COVID-19 infection. Meanwhile, the risk of COVID-19 infection is influenced by the concentration of CO2 and PM2.5 inside the classrooms and libraries due to the number of occupants in the building and outside influence from car emissions. The school must ensure that social distancing and wearing masks are implemented every time during the school period. Besides that, the single split unit must be replaced with doors and windows opening to ensure fresh air and minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Keywords: Indoor air quality, COVID-19, primary school, school children, Airborne Risk Infection Calculator

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	17 Apr 2024 07:02
Last Modified:	17 Apr 2024 07:02
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1691

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