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Barros N, Sobral P, Moreira RS, Vargas J, Fonseca A, Abreu I, Guerreiro MS. SchoolAIR: A Citizen Science IoT Framework Using Low-Cost Sensing for Indoor Air Quality Management. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 24:148. [PMID: 38203010 PMCID: PMC10781081 DOI: 10.3390/s24010148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Indoor air quality (IAQ) problems in school environments are very common and have significant impacts on students' performance, development and health. Indoor air conditions depend on the adopted ventilation practices, which in Mediterranean countries are essentially based on natural ventilation controlled through manual window opening. Citizen science projects directed to school communities are effective strategies to promote awareness and knowledge acquirement on IAQ and adequate ventilation management. Our multidisciplinary research team has developed a framework-SchoolAIR-based on low-cost sensors and a scalable IoT system architecture to support the improvement of IAQ in schools. The SchoolAIR framework is based on do-it-yourself sensors that continuously monitor air temperature, relative humidity, concentrations of carbon dioxide and particulate matter in school environments. The framework was tested in the classrooms of University Fernando Pessoa, and its deployment and proof of concept took place in a high school in the north of Portugal. The results obtained reveal that CO2 concentrations frequently exceed reference values during classes, and that higher concentrations of particulate matter in the outdoor air affect IAQ. These results highlight the importance of real-time monitoring of IAQ and outdoor air pollution levels to support decision-making in ventilation management and assure adequate IAQ. The proposed approach encourages the transfer of scientific knowledge from universities to society in a dynamic and active process of social responsibility based on a citizen science approach, promoting scientific literacy of the younger generation and enhancing healthier, resilient and sustainable indoor environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Barros
- FP-I3ID—Fernando Pessoa Institute for Research, Innovation and Development, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal; (A.F.); (I.A.); (M.S.G.)
- CINTESIS.UFP—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Sobral
- LIACC—Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science Laboratory, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; (P.S.); (R.S.M.)
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Rui S. Moreira
- LIACC—Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science Laboratory, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; (P.S.); (R.S.M.)
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal;
| | - João Vargas
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Ana Fonseca
- FP-I3ID—Fernando Pessoa Institute for Research, Innovation and Development, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal; (A.F.); (I.A.); (M.S.G.)
- CINTESIS.UFP—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel Abreu
- FP-I3ID—Fernando Pessoa Institute for Research, Innovation and Development, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal; (A.F.); (I.A.); (M.S.G.)
- CINTESIS.UFP—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Simas Guerreiro
- FP-I3ID—Fernando Pessoa Institute for Research, Innovation and Development, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal; (A.F.); (I.A.); (M.S.G.)
- CINTESIS.UFP—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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