TY - JOUR T1 - How do children perceive indoor air quality (IAQ) at school? JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.PA4923 VL - 48 IS - suppl 60 SP - PA4923 AU - Marzia Simoni AU - Sandra Baldacci AU - Mario Canciani AU - Carlo Pini AU - Luigia Maria Brunetti AU - Luciana Indinnimeo AU - Paolo Carrer AU - Anibale Biggeri AU - Piersante Sestini AU - Sara Maio AU - Sonia Cerrai AU - Giuseppe Sarno AU - Fabio Cibella AU - Giovanni Viegi Y1 - 2016/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/48/suppl_60/PA4923.abstract N2 - Background: Few information are available on IAQ perception in schoolchildren.Aim: to evaluate IAQ perception (IAQp) in relation to indoor PM2.5 and CO2, and to respiratory symptoms at school.Methods: respiratory symptoms in the last week and IAQp (on a 6 points scale, 0=extremely poor) were assessed in 2273 children (mean age 10yrs ± 1.8, 50.8% males) of no. 7 Italian cities (44 schools, 130 classrooms). Continous measurements of PM2.5 and CO2 were performed with Dust-Track and Q-Track, respectively, for a week.Results: mean IAQp was 3.9 ± 1.4; poor (0-2), moderate (3-4), and good (5-6) IAQ were reported by 14.4%, 46.9%, and 38.7% of children, respectively. Levels of PM2.5 > 25 μg/m3 and CO2≥ 1000 ppm were measured in 58% and 63% of classrooms, respectively. IAQp was inversely correlated to PM2.5 and CO2 (p<0.001). Good IAQ was reported more frequently by children in classrooms with PM2.5≤ than > 25 μg/m3 (46% vs 33%, p<0.001) and CO2 < than ≥1000 ppm (44% vs 37%, p=0.01). Compared to children with poor IAQp, those with good IAQp had lower prevalence of nasal disturbances (43% vs 52%, p=0.006), breathlessness (5% vs 9%, p=0.01), and any respiratory symptom at school (i.e. nasal disturbances, breathlessness, dry cough, and wheezing, 47% vs 58%, p<0.001). After accounting for age, gender, city, and parental education, poor/moderate IAQp was associated with PM2.5 > 25 μg/m3 (OR 1.58, 95% IC 1.29, 1.93) and CO2≥ 1000 ppm (1.24, 1.00-1.52).Conclusions: A simple and feasible questionnaire in schoolchildren is associated with indoor air quality levels and frequency of respiratory symptoms.Project supported by the National Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CCM), National Health Service, Ministry of Health. ER -