Assessment of total suspended particulates level and some physical environmental factors and related health problems among school pupils in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

The present work aimed at measuring TSP, noise, and lighting levels in school environment and determining their possible effects on the health status of students. A systematic sample of 18 schools was selected from the Eastern region of Alexandria. From each school, 2-3 classrooms were selected at random where measurements of TSP, noise, and lighting levels were carried out. A total of 646 students were selected from 6 positions inside 46 classrooms. The health impacts of the studied parameters were assessed using a precoded observation sheet. The average TSP level was 2.10 +/- 1.30 mg/m[3]. Schools and classrooms near markets showed significantly the maximum average TSP [3.38 +/- 0.59 mg/m[3]] while those lying within residential areas showed the lowest average [1.33 +/- 0.67 mg/m[3]]. No significant difference between pupils classified by history of allergy in the average TSP levels was found. The average noise levels were 64.45 +/- 3.7 dB and 71.36 +/- 4.08 dB during complete silence in the morning and afternoon respectively, 75.32 +/- 3.85 dB during a lesson, and 78.32 +/- 6.87 dB during tram or train passage. All noise levels exceeded the recommended maximum permissible levels [42-55 dB]. No statistically significant association could be detected between noise during a lesson in one hand and hearing acuity, performance, and concentration in the other. The median lighting level was 27.9 foot-candles. Pupils with visual acuity lower than 6/9 were significantly exposed to a higher average lighting level than those with visual acuity of 6/6 or 6/9 [Mann-Whitney Z = 2.59. P<0.01]