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Aim <p>Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays an important role in classroom ventilation, student comfort, and the potential transmission of airborne infections. This study aimed to evaluate IAQ conditions and identify factors influencing ventilation efficiency in school classrooms in Athens.</p> Subject and methods <p>A cross-sectional environmental monitoring study was conducted over a 3-month period in 114 classrooms across schools in Athens. IAQ parameters measured included carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>), carbon monoxide (CO), oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>), temperature, and relative humidity. CO<sub>2</sub> concentration was used as an alternative indicator of ventilation adequacy and classroom occupancy. Measurements were collected using portable environmental sensors during regular classroom activities.</p> Results <p>The mean CO<sub>2</sub> concentration was 836 ppm, with peak values reaching 3300 ppm, indicating periods of inadequate ventilation, particularly in naturally ventilated classrooms. The average indoor temperature was 18.3 °C and relative humidity (RH) was 61.1%. Concentrations of NO and NO<sub>2</sub> remained consistently low across classrooms. A strong positive association was observed between CO<sub>2</sub> levels and classroom occupancy (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), while no significant association was found with ventilation type or classroom floor level.</p> Conclusion <p>Although most IAQ parameters remained within acceptable limits, the occurrence of elevated CO<sub>2</sub> peaks suggests occasional ventilation deficiencies. Improving ventilation management and monitoring, particularly during periods of high occupancy and extended classroom use such as after-school activities, may help reduce airborne transmission risks and enhance indoor environmental quality.</p>

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Indoor air quality (IAQ) and ventilation efficiency in after-school educational centers in Athens during the post-COVID-19 era

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月18日

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  • Constantinos Karamalis,
  • Georgia Maria Markopoulou,
  • Marianna Foteini Dafni,
  • Georgia Kyriakopoulou,
  • Theodora Skreka,
  • Sofia Giannakopoulou,
  • Constantinos Delezos

摘要

Aim

Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays an important role in classroom ventilation, student comfort, and the potential transmission of airborne infections. This study aimed to evaluate IAQ conditions and identify factors influencing ventilation efficiency in school classrooms in Athens.

Subject and methods

A cross-sectional environmental monitoring study was conducted over a 3-month period in 114 classrooms across schools in Athens. IAQ parameters measured included carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), oxygen (O2), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), temperature, and relative humidity. CO2 concentration was used as an alternative indicator of ventilation adequacy and classroom occupancy. Measurements were collected using portable environmental sensors during regular classroom activities.

Results

The mean CO2 concentration was 836 ppm, with peak values reaching 3300 ppm, indicating periods of inadequate ventilation, particularly in naturally ventilated classrooms. The average indoor temperature was 18.3 °C and relative humidity (RH) was 61.1%. Concentrations of NO and NO2 remained consistently low across classrooms. A strong positive association was observed between CO2 levels and classroom occupancy (p < 0.001), while no significant association was found with ventilation type or classroom floor level.

Conclusion

Although most IAQ parameters remained within acceptable limits, the occurrence of elevated CO2 peaks suggests occasional ventilation deficiencies. Improving ventilation management and monitoring, particularly during periods of high occupancy and extended classroom use such as after-school activities, may help reduce airborne transmission risks and enhance indoor environmental quality.