Assessment of indoor air quality in Tunisian childcare establishments

Meher Cheberli; Marwa Jabberi; Sami Ayari; Jamel Ben Nasr; Habib Chouchane; Ameur Cherif; Hadda-Imene Ouzari; Haitham Sghaier; Meher Cheberli; Marwa Jabberi; Sami Ayari; Jamel Ben Nasr; Habib Chouchane; Ameur Cherif; Hadda-Imene Ouzari; Haitham Sghaier

doi:10.3934/environsci.2025016

AIMS Environmental Science

2025, Volume 12, Issue 2: 352-372. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2025016

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Research article

Assessment of indoor air quality in Tunisian childcare establishments

1.
Laboratory Energy and Matter for Development of Nuclear Sciences LR16CNSTN02, National Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technology, Sidi Thabet Technopark, 2020, Tunisia
2.
Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, 2020, Ariana, Tunisia
3.
Ministry of Health, Bab Saadoun 1006 Tunis, Tunisia
4.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Lab of Faculty of Sciences, Risks Related to Environmental Stress, Struggle and Prevention (UR17ES20), Bizerte, Zarzouna, University of Carthage, Tunisia
5.
Laboratory of Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules LR03ES03, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tunis El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia
6.
National Agronomic Institute of Tunis, Tunisia 43 Av. Charles Nicolle, Tunis 1082, University of Carthage, Tunisia

Received: 19 October 2024 Revised: 31 March 2025 Accepted: 03 April 2025 Published: 15 April 2025

Maintaining healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) in childcare settings is essential for infants and young children, as it directly impacts their early learning, development, and overall well-being. Given their vulnerability, continuous IAQ monitoring in these environments is crucial to ensuring a safe and supportive atmosphere. This study aimed to assess IAQ factors that may affect occupant health by measuring indoor concentrations of particulate matter (PM₁₀), selected gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and formaldehyde (CH₂O), and thermal conditions including temperature and relative humidity. Additionally, airborne microorganism levels were analyzed, and potential environmental factors influencing microbial abundance were investigated in three childcare centers in Megrine, Tunisia, across three seasonal periods. Results revealed frequent occurrences of hygrothermal discomfort and elevated levels of CO₂, CH₂O, and PM₁₀, particularly in overcrowded classrooms with poor ventilation and heating. Pathogenic bacterial species, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus licheniformis, were repeatedly detected. Significant correlations were found between bacterial abundance and environmental factors such as PM₁₀, CO₂ levels, temperature, and humidity. These findings provide valuable insights into IAQ dynamics in childcare environments, highlighting the need for improved ventilation and air quality management strategies to safeguard children's health and well-being.
- airborne bacteria,
- childcare facilities,
- indoor air quality,
- metataxonomic analysis,
- particulate matter,
- physicochemical parameters
Citation: Meher Cheberli, Marwa Jabberi, Sami Ayari, Jamel Ben Nasr, Habib Chouchane, Ameur Cherif, Hadda-Imene Ouzari, Haitham Sghaier. Assessment of indoor air quality in Tunisian childcare establishments[J]. AIMS Environmental Science, 2025, 12(2): 352-372. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2025016

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Abstract

Maintaining healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) in childcare settings is essential for infants and young children, as it directly impacts their early learning, development, and overall well-being. Given their vulnerability, continuous IAQ monitoring in these environments is crucial to ensuring a safe and supportive atmosphere. This study aimed to assess IAQ factors that may affect occupant health by measuring indoor concentrations of particulate matter (PM₁₀), selected gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and formaldehyde (CH₂O), and thermal conditions including temperature and relative humidity. Additionally, airborne microorganism levels were analyzed, and potential environmental factors influencing microbial abundance were investigated in three childcare centers in Megrine, Tunisia, across three seasonal periods. Results revealed frequent occurrences of hygrothermal discomfort and elevated levels of CO₂, CH₂O, and PM₁₀, particularly in overcrowded classrooms with poor ventilation and heating. Pathogenic bacterial species, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus licheniformis, were repeatedly detected. Significant correlations were found between bacterial abundance and environmental factors such as PM₁₀, CO₂ levels, temperature, and humidity. These findings provide valuable insights into IAQ dynamics in childcare environments, highlighting the need for improved ventilation and air quality management strategies to safeguard children's health and well-being.

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