Author(s): Idália da Gomes, Maria ; Joanaz De Melo, Ana Maria Garcia Henriques Barreiros ; Pinto, Iola ; Rodrigues, Alexandra
Date: 2025
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/21958
Origin: Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa
Subject(s): Sustainable education environment; Biophilic solutions; Indoor air quality in classrooms; Student health; Well-being
Schools are vital infrastructures where students acquire essential skills and foster social values. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is of paramount importance in schools, given that students spend a considerable amount of time indoors. This study examines the influence of a natural green structure (NGS) on IAQ in an Eco-Campus classroom. The IAQ of a classroom with an NGS was compared to that of an adjacent classroom without an NGS. The thermal conditions were monitored, including air temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH), as well as indoor pollutants, including carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). The findings indicated a substantial improvement in indoor air quality in the classroom where the green structure was installed. This study lends support to the incorporation of biophilic solutions as sustainable approaches to fostering healthier learning environments, which in turn can lead to improvements in student performance and well-being.
