Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort Evaluation in Latvian Daycare Centers with Carbon Dioxide, Temperature and Humidity as Indicators

Abstract

Latvian children under the age of 7 can spend up to 60 hours per week in daycare centers and therefore it is very important to establish a healthy and comfortable daycare environment that children will find pleasant and stimulating to stay in. This study investigates the indoor air quality and thermal comfort within six daycare centers (old, renovated and new-built) in moderate climate zone of Latvia. The measurements of carbon dioxide, air temperature and relative humidity were carried out, and the data regarding daycare center characteristics and maintenance activities were collected via combination of field visits, record analysis and interviews. It was found that the carbon dioxide concentrations exceeded 1000 ppm in 75% of the daycare centers studied, with the highest (1356 ppm) measured in a renovated facility with the natural ventilation system. Thus, installation of a more efficient ventilation system (mechanical) is recommended to provide acceptable indoor air quality, since opening of windows itself cannot provide the optimal conditions indoors. In all facilities the temperature was kept above 20°C and the average relative humidity was 40 ± 5%, creating comfortable thermal environment for children.