A Proposal of Indoor Air Pollutant Limit Values for Turkish Schools Based on a Literature Review of Emission Sources, Concentrations, Health Effects, and Limits/Guidelines

Abstract

Limit Values Working Group (LVWG) was established under Indoor Air Quality Committee of Turkish Climatization Assembly of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye. LVWG was tasked with reviewing the pertinent literature on indoor emission sources, concentrations in schools, health effects, and existing limit and guideline values to identify the indoor air pollutants that need to be addressed and to be recommended a limit value for Turkish schools. LVWG members took responsibilities based on their individual expertise. The recommendations were concluded in consensus decision-making after in-group discussions. A total of 19 pollutants/pollutant groups (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, radon, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, trihalomethanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, brominated flame retardants, organophosphate esters, phthalate esters, particulate matter, bioaerosols (bacteria, fungi, viruses), microbial pollutants and allergens) were reviewed. Limit values were recommended for 11 pollutants/groups based on the current knowledge, i.e. pollutant health effects and indoor air concentrations taking into account the exposure duration, the prevalence of existing limit/guideline values and the health effects on which they are based. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.