Air pollution in elementary schools is responsible for tens of thousands of cases of asthma each year, according to Public Health France

Public Health France published on Tuesday the intermediate results of work analyzing for the first time the consequences of air pollution in classrooms on the health of students.

Air pollution in elementary school classrooms is responsible for tens of thousands of cases of asthma each year in France. These are the intermediate results of work carried out for the first time by Public Health France on the subject, and published Tuesday January 30. The cause: mold in classrooms and an organic compound, formaldehyde.

Among schoolchildren aged 6 to 11, 42,000 cases of asthma are preventable each year, estimates this study by Public Health France. 30,000 caused by formaldehyde, a pollutant present in classroom furniture in the form of paint and resin and 12,000 due to mold in these rooms. These are children making wheezing sounds characteristic of asthma.

Regular ventilation of classrooms

To improve the quality of indoor air at school, teachers must regularly ventilate their rooms, Public Health France recommends, and ventilation systems must be well maintained. But also, carry out work to eliminate mold.

For formaldehyde or other volatile organic compounds, purchase furniture and school supplies that are free of them. “There is the possibility of identifying these materials, paints, coatings which are less emissive thanks to labeling”assures Marion Hulin, epidemiologist at Public Health France, in charge of air quality and health issues.

School, children’s “second environment”

She also recommends “allow for a period of unoccupancy of the renovated spaces before the children return to the classrooms.” The epidemiologist recalls that the school is “the second living environment in which (children) spend the most time.”

This study will continue. Scientists wish to refine and analyze school air pollution on a more local scale and also calculate the impact of road traffic on the air breathed by students. “We hope to be able to publish this data at the end of 2024”assures Marion Hulin.