About this Research Topic
Air pollution impacts human health, increasing the incidence and progression of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. It contributes to slower rates of cognitive development in children and mental decline and dementia in older people. Children are particularly vulnerable to poor air quality owing to immature and developing organ systems, increased pulmonary ventilation and a compromised ability to deal with toxic compounds.
Children spend around one third of their day at school or commuting to it. It is essential therefore that these microenvironments provide optimal infrastructure, in terms of learning and with respect to climatic conditions. However, the commute to school and schools (the building and immediate vicinity) themselves can expose children to suboptimal air quality. School buildings are often situated close to major roads and frequent hours coinciding with high traffic intensities that contribute to outdoor sources of air pollution that children can be exposed when arriving/leaving school and during outdoor lessons/sports activities/class breaks/after school clubs. Indoor sources of air pollution include furnishings, educational equipment and large numbers of people engaged in wide ranging activities. Whilst cleaning is essential, intense procedures contribute further to indoor pollutants. The daily commute to and from school along busy main roads has also been documented to be a significant contributor to schoolchildren’s exposure to poor air quality.
This Research Topic aims to increase knowledge of the impact of air pollutants in commuting microenvironments and in/around schools on children’s physical and mental health (including but not limited to, respiratory, cardiovascular and cognitive function) and performance. Studies suggest that exposure to traffic-related air pollution during the school commute could pose potential threats to the health of children. Studies have also reported detrimental effects of poor air quality in schools on children. Some have focused on the role of high levels of CO2 on cognitive function, however it is not clear if CO2 has a direct effect or is a reflection of poor air quality and lack of ventilation. Other studies demonstrate that reducing the concentration of specific pollutants, e.g. particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), improves respiratory symptoms and/or cognitive performance. Nevertheless, such links are not fully understood, as it is difficult to isolate effects individual pollutants. It is important to understand how exposure to various pollutants can lead to adverse outcomes, and which pollutants and sources have the highest impact on health. This will help to adopt targeted interventions to ensure healthy environments that enable children to thrive physically and mentally. Better knowledge can also inform policy makers and school managers and guide them in building a healthier school and urban environment.
This Research Topic targets original research articles, brief research reports, reviews, perspective articles, policy briefs, and commentaries on how children are adversely affected by poor air quality during the commute to school or whilst at school . The scope of submissions should be around the impact of ambient and indoor generated air pollutants (e.g. PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, VOCs, CO2, bioaerosols [e.g. allergens, microbes]) on children attending primary and secondary school in relation to:
· Effects on physical and mental health
· Symptoms (e.g. allergies, asthma, headache)
· Wellbeing
· Cognitive performance and development
· Learning outcomes
Children spend around one third of their day at school or commuting to it. It is essential therefore that these microenvironments provide optimal infrastructure, in terms of learning and with respect to climatic conditions. However, the commute to school and schools (the building and immediate vicinity) themselves can expose children to suboptimal air quality. School buildings are often situated close to major roads and frequent hours coinciding with high traffic intensities that contribute to outdoor sources of air pollution that children can be exposed when arriving/leaving school and during outdoor lessons/sports activities/class breaks/after school clubs. Indoor sources of air pollution include furnishings, educational equipment and large numbers of people engaged in wide ranging activities. Whilst cleaning is essential, intense procedures contribute further to indoor pollutants. The daily commute to and from school along busy main roads has also been documented to be a significant contributor to schoolchildren’s exposure to poor air quality.
This Research Topic aims to increase knowledge of the impact of air pollutants in commuting microenvironments and in/around schools on children’s physical and mental health (including but not limited to, respiratory, cardiovascular and cognitive function) and performance. Studies suggest that exposure to traffic-related air pollution during the school commute could pose potential threats to the health of children. Studies have also reported detrimental effects of poor air quality in schools on children. Some have focused on the role of high levels of CO2 on cognitive function, however it is not clear if CO2 has a direct effect or is a reflection of poor air quality and lack of ventilation. Other studies demonstrate that reducing the concentration of specific pollutants, e.g. particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), improves respiratory symptoms and/or cognitive performance. Nevertheless, such links are not fully understood, as it is difficult to isolate effects individual pollutants. It is important to understand how exposure to various pollutants can lead to adverse outcomes, and which pollutants and sources have the highest impact on health. This will help to adopt targeted interventions to ensure healthy environments that enable children to thrive physically and mentally. Better knowledge can also inform policy makers and school managers and guide them in building a healthier school and urban environment.
This Research Topic targets original research articles, brief research reports, reviews, perspective articles, policy briefs, and commentaries on how children are adversely affected by poor air quality during the commute to school or whilst at school . The scope of submissions should be around the impact of ambient and indoor generated air pollutants (e.g. PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, VOCs, CO2, bioaerosols [e.g. allergens, microbes]) on children attending primary and secondary school in relation to:
· Effects on physical and mental health
· Symptoms (e.g. allergies, asthma, headache)
· Wellbeing
· Cognitive performance and development
· Learning outcomes
Keywords: air quality, school, pollutants, health, performance, children, CO2
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