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<p>Classroom air quality (CAQ) matters greatly for safeguarding children’s health and ensuring a safe learning environment. This study assessed CAQ across 55 schools in Dhaka city, focusing on fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) and heavy metals (HMs) to identify factors that influence classroom PM<sub>2.5</sub> levels and to estimate HMs associated health risks. PM<sub>2.5</sub> was monitored continuously for the entire school day (i.e., 5–7&#xa0;h) in a single classroom at each school, and settled dust was sampled from 15 classrooms across 15 schools. Using a stepwise multiple linear regression model, the association between classroom factors and classroom PM<sub>2.5</sub> levels was investigated. The result showed, average PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration in the classroom was 50.5 ± 26.26&#xa0;µg/m<sup>3</sup>, over three times above the WHO’s 24-h guideline (15&#xa0;µg/m<sup>3</sup>) for ambient air quality. Stepwise multiple linear regression indicated outdoor PM<sub>2.5</sub> (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.10), board type (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.10), traffic near school (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.14), and distance from the major road (R<sup>2</sup> =0.10) were significant predictors (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) of indoor CAQ (full model R<sup>2</sup>= 0.51). The HMs contents identified through Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) showed Zn (766.81 <b>±</b> 526.51&#xa0;mg/Kg) had the highest concentration, followed by Mn (388.78 <b>±</b> 211.84), Cu (140.73 <b>±</b> 131.94), Pb (87.18 <b>±</b> 192.5), Cr (47.06 <b>±</b> 25.66), Ni (41.78 <b>±</b> 23.8), As (8.25 <b>±</b> 6.04), Cd (2.72 <b>±</b> 1.51). The hazard index (HI) of selected HMs was below 1, and the carcinogenic risk (CR) was found below the safe limit (10<sup>− 6</sup> to 10<sup>− 4</sup>) for both children and adults. Findings from this study will serve as evidence to inform policy and school-level actions for ensuring safer classrooms and children’s health.</p>

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Characterizing indoor air quality, assessing health risk and identifying factors affecting school classroom environment in megacity Dhaka

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月7日

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  • Sanjida Ahmed,
  • Rakib Hossain,
  • Mohammad Moniruzzaman,
  • Afroza Parvin,
  • Maria Haider,
  • Shakhaoat Hossain

摘要

Classroom air quality (CAQ) matters greatly for safeguarding children’s health and ensuring a safe learning environment. This study assessed CAQ across 55 schools in Dhaka city, focusing on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and heavy metals (HMs) to identify factors that influence classroom PM2.5 levels and to estimate HMs associated health risks. PM2.5 was monitored continuously for the entire school day (i.e., 5–7 h) in a single classroom at each school, and settled dust was sampled from 15 classrooms across 15 schools. Using a stepwise multiple linear regression model, the association between classroom factors and classroom PM2.5 levels was investigated. The result showed, average PM2.5 concentration in the classroom was 50.5 ± 26.26 µg/m3, over three times above the WHO’s 24-h guideline (15 µg/m3) for ambient air quality. Stepwise multiple linear regression indicated outdoor PM2.5 (R2 = 0.10), board type (R2 = 0.10), traffic near school (R2 = 0.14), and distance from the major road (R2 =0.10) were significant predictors (p < 0.05) of indoor CAQ (full model R2= 0.51). The HMs contents identified through Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) showed Zn (766.81 ± 526.51 mg/Kg) had the highest concentration, followed by Mn (388.78 ± 211.84), Cu (140.73 ± 131.94), Pb (87.18 ± 192.5), Cr (47.06 ± 25.66), Ni (41.78 ± 23.8), As (8.25 ± 6.04), Cd (2.72 ± 1.51). The hazard index (HI) of selected HMs was below 1, and the carcinogenic risk (CR) was found below the safe limit (10− 6 to 10− 4) for both children and adults. Findings from this study will serve as evidence to inform policy and school-level actions for ensuring safer classrooms and children’s health.