Spanish Schoolchildren Exposed to High Nitrogen Dioxide Levels in Classrooms
A recent study by the environmental group Ecologistas en Acción reveals that Spanish schoolchildren are breathing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, both outdoors and inside classrooms. The fifth campaign of its kind utilized citizen science and low-cost sensors to measure air quality in 412 educational establishments and sensitive areas across 66 urban centers in ten autonomous communities. Notably, the sample excluded Madrid but included various smaller municipalities based on local interest and volunteer involvement. The findings indicate that in 96% of the analyzed schools, NO2 levels surpassed the WHO's recommended limit of 10 µg/m3. Furthermore, 249 locations recorded levels above 20 µg/m3, the maximum threshold set by the new EU Air Quality Directive to be enforced by 2030. In eight instances, pollution levels exceeded the current legal limit of 40 µg/m3. Only 17 schools met the strict internal health requirements. The campaign relied on 600 volunteers, including parents, teachers, and students, highlighting a significant public health concern regarding indoor air quality in educational settings across Spain.
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Spanish Schoolchildren Exposed to High Nitrogen Dioxide Levels in Classrooms
A recent study by the environmental group Ecologistas en Acción reveals that Spanish schoolchildren are breathing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, both outdoors and inside classrooms. The fifth campaign of its kind utilized citizen science and low-cost sensors to measure air quality in 412 educational establishments and sensitive areas across 66 urban centers in ten autonomous communities. Notably, the sample excluded Madrid but included various smaller municipalities based on local interest and volunteer involvement. The findings indicate that in 96% of the analyzed schools, NO2 levels surpassed the WHO's recommended limit of 10 µg/m3. Furthermore, 249 locations recorded levels above 20 µg/m3, the maximum threshold set by the new EU Air Quality Directive to be enforced by 2030. In eight instances, pollution levels exceeded the current legal limit of 40 µg/m3. Only 17 schools met the strict internal health requirements. The campaign relied on 600 volunteers, including parents, teachers, and students, highlighting a significant public health concern regarding indoor air quality in educational settings across Spain.
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