Results: Air and water quality of the 22 primary schools
The Cyprus Children’s Health and Environment Observatory (the Observatory) conducts a series of annual preventive examinations on primary school children (participants of the Observatory), focusing on their environment and health-related matters.
During the period February–June 2024, in addition to analyses related to health indicators, air and drinking water quality measurements were conducted in the schools attended by children participating in the Observatory. The Observatory includes 370 active child members and their families from 22 schools, representing various regions of the Republic of Cyprus, across all districts and with varying degrees of urbanization (urban, suburban, and rural areas).
School Environment Assessment
As part of the Observatory, air quality parameters (in classrooms and schoolyards) and drinking water quality parameters (from the main school taps) are evaluated once a year at the 22 participating schools.
The analysis of air and drinking water quality data provides important information about the school environment, which, when properly utilized, is expected to contribute significantly to the education and well-being of the school community.
Main Findings
- Drinking Water: The measurements of chemical disinfection by-products were in line with European standards for drinking water quality.
- Dust and Classroom Ventilation: Air quality measurements in classrooms showed that dust levels and ventilation were, on average, within acceptable limits during most of the time children spend at school.
- Temperature: Air temperature measurements in classrooms during February–April were, on average, within thermal comfort limits. However, in some schools where measurements took place during May–June, deviations from the desired comfort levels were observed for part of the school day.
Recommendations for Schools
Based on the findings, simple general recommendations with no financial cost were made to all schools. Systematic monitoring of air and water quality parameters can provide data for more targeted suggestions.
- To avoid high concentrations of carbon dioxide, natural ventilation of classrooms is recommended by opening windows/doors for 5–10 minutes at regular intervals (e.g., every 40-minute lesson), even if mechanical air conditioning is operating.
- To prevent the accumulation of dust in classroom air, it is recommended that classrooms be cleaned in a way that removes dust rather than redistributes it. Additionally, cleaning should be carried out well before students enter the classrooms or after classes end at midday.
- To ensure proper drinking water quality, it is recommended that drinking water outlets be kept clean and that school water tanks undergo regular maintenance by the responsible authority.
The CHILDREN_FIRST Observatory
The Cyprus Children’s Health and Environment Observatory (the Observatory) was established in 2022 and is coordinated by the Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health at the Cyprus University of Technology, in collaboration with the Center of Excellence in Biobanking and Biomedical Research at the University of Cyprus. The Observatory has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth and is supported by the Cyprus Pediatric Society.
The Observatory is part of an international network of research organizations engaged in the systematic observation of children’s health and environmental indicators in five Mediterranean countries: Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Albania, and Spain. It annually implements innovative primary healthcare services for primary school children, starting from the first grade.
