Classroom carbon dioxide concentration, school attendance, and educational attainment.
BACKGROUND
We tested the hypothesis that classroom carbon dioxide (CO2 ) concentration is inversely related to child school attendance and educational attainment.


METHODS
Concentrations of CO2 were measured over a 3-5 day period in 60 naturally ventilated classrooms of primary school children in Scotland. Concentrations of CO2 were related to the class average annual attendance and proportions attaining a national standard for reading, writing, and numeracy, adjusted for socioeconomic status and class size.


RESULTS
The median (interquartile range, IQR) CO2 concentration averaged over the school day was 1086 ppm (922, 1310). In the model, Time Weighted Average CO2 concentrations were inversely associated with school attendance but not academic attainments. An increase of 100 ppm CO2 was associated with a reduced annual attendance of 0.2% (0.04, 0.4) roughly equivalent to 1 half day of school per annum, assuming schools are open on 190 days per year. Indoor temperature and relative humidity were not related to attendance or academic attainment.


CONCLUSIONS
Inadequate classroom ventilation, as evidenced by CO2 concentration exceeding 1000 ppm, is not uncommon and may be associated with reduced school attendance. A relationship between inadequate classroom ventilation and adverse health outcomes in children may be present and this needs to be explored.
['Gaihre|Santosh|S|', 'Semple|Sean|S|', 'Miller|Janice|J|', 'Fielding|Shona|S|', 'Turner|Steve|S|']
D000393:Air Pollutants D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor D002245:Carbon Dioxide D002648:Child D004522:Educational Status D004784:Environmental Monitoring D006801:Humans D006813:Humidity D012574:Schools D012606:Scotland D013334:Students D014691:Ventilation
carbon dioxide schools temperature academic performance indoor air quality school absence