The Relationship Between Asthma/Allergy Symptoms in Children and Indoor Particulate Matter in Schools

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Air pollution is one of the major environmental problems and it is steadily increasing, especially in urban areas. When children start school, they are exposed to airborne pollutants in indoor areas more than outdoor areas. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between asthma symptoms and indoor particulate matter (PM) measurements and some risk factors in students attending a primary school in Western Turkiye. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October and December, 2018. The questionnaire form included questions about the asthma/allergy symptoms of the students, and certain environmental risk factors. Temperature, humidity and PM were measured in the indoor environment of the school.RESULTS: This study was completed with 412 students and their mean age was 8.66 +/- 1.16 years. The two out of ten students had asthma symptoms, allergic rhinitis, or dry cough symptoms, and the prevalence of skin symptoms-eczema was around 4%.CONCLUSION: The symptoms were related to a family history of asthma and carpets covering more than half of floor area of the home. The symptoms at school were found to be related to an increase in the number of students in the classroom and the PM values.