Nursing
Title: Journal Article Critique: Air Quality
Paper instructions:
1. Evaluate the article and provide a scholarly critique of the content. Your response must include the following:
Describe the public health significance of the study. Discuss whether the impact is local or global and what important public health gap might be filled by this article.
Critique the methodology. Support your analysis of how effective this methodology was and what might have been done differently to be more effective.
Interpret the results in your own words and explain whether you agree or disagree with the author’s interpretation.
Appraise whether the findings are actionable and if so, describe at least one action.
2. Locate another research study on this same topic. In your posting:
Provide the full APA 7th edition reference and compare and contrast the articles. Describe whether the findings support each other or are in contradiction.
Explain whether your opinions about the topic have changed in any way as a result of reviewing the second article and your peers opinions. Explain your response.
FYI…you may wish to consider the following topics:
What do you think the public health significance of the research question in this study was? Is it mostly of local significance or is there a global impact? Explain. Does the study fill an important gap, in your opinion? Why or why not? Critique the methodology. Why do you think the authors chose this methodology and what would you have done differently? Explain. Interpret the results in your own words and then discuss with your colleagues whether you agree or disagree with the author’s interpretations and why.
Discuss with your colleagues what you believe is the social change impact of the findings. Do you think that the outcomes of the study are modifiable and/or actionable? Why or why not? What would you propose as a reasonable action from the findings, and why? How might the precautionary principle apply to this study?
What other recent studies can you find that either contradict or support these findings? Do the other studies impact your assessment of the significance and interpretation of this study? How? Be sure to provide the full citation for the other studies that you bring up.
—
Journal Article Critique: Air Quality
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course
Professor’s Name
Date
Journal Article Critique: Air Quality
Introduction
Over recent years studies on indoor air pollution have gained a lot of traction. Indoor air pollution when not taken into consideration has consequential and harmful health effects. Studies on air pollution done by US Environmental Protection Agency in regards to human exposure indicates that indoor air pollution levels maybe two to five times higher and sometimes more than that of outdoor (Tran, Park, & Lee, 2020).
Importance for of the study to public health
From the study, Formaldehyde’s concentration were more than two times higher than outdoor in school G. This is a clear indication that Indoor air quality (IAQ) is of great concern as individuals spend most of their time indoors. As such, this study will not only allow learning institutions to understand the importance of managing IAQ but also members of the public and health organizations understand the effects it has on students, staff, and even occupants of a building when not well managed (Jones & Lam, 2006).
Global importance of the study
Moreover, IAQ is a global thing, as any learning institution with occupants’ present in a building might be affected. To be exposed it involves one getting into contact with a given concentration pollutant within a given period (Jones & Lam, 2006). These make IAQ of great importance for public health as it poses risk especially for young and older adults who are more vulnerable. Equally important, having sound knowledge of the importance of good IAQ in learning institutions can help develop effective IAQ measures and programs, such as implementing proper ventilation measures and reducing the number of occupants in a room.
Methodology Critique
In measuring comfort and airborne microorganisms, the researcher used an automatic air quality probe (IQ-610, Graywolf monitor) that is portable to measure temperature, CO2, relative humidity, VOCs; an hourly sample were collected for each site to get results for each with five replicates being obtained per site continuously. This methodology proved to be very efficient as it provided a holistic view of the IAQ concentration of each of the environments sampled. That is, allows the one to understand how different parameters affect IAQ. For instance, using the tool became clear as to why there were spikes in CO2 concentration when students come out of the break and low spikes while they were out. Besides, in measuring the internal bacterial load, I would have used air sampling settle plate by exposing it to a Petri dish of blood sugar media for like an hour. Then assess the correlation between the bacteria load and physical parameters using the Pearson correlation matrix.
Results Interpretation
The results that were delivered by the researcher in the Lisbon IAQ case study were very accurate and correlated with the factors influencing IAQ concentration. For instance, while measuring the indoor CO and CO2 levels in the three primary schools, there were spikes when students started the physical exercise in the classroom or when they came back after performing outdoor activities and decreased when the students were out of class. These can be deduced that CO and CO2 are lower when there is a low occupancy rate leading to low emission in the classroom and higher when occupancy is more elevated in class due to higher emission of CO2 and CO into the atmosphere. I agree with the researcher’s interpretation that there is a correlation between increasing concentration and occupancy.
Actionable Measures
The researcher found out that volatile organic compounds (VOC) concentration are higher indoors than outside. Poor ventilation, propellants, cooking fuels, printed paper, cooking in the same building, Vinyl flooring, together with floor adhesives, are some of the sources found to cause higher indoor VOC concentrations. To mitigate it, it is suitable for learning institutions to improve the airing conditions of the classroom. For instance, developing a good habit of opening doors and windows frequently and following ASHRAE ventilation standards will be of great significance in removing odors and contaminants in the room.
Similar Research
Ferreira and Cardoso (2013) conducted a study on air quality in elementary schools in Portugal with similar results and findings to Lisbon. For instance, both researchers found that levels of CO levels were higher in the cities due to higher emissions in vehicles. Person exposure to micro-environments with higher CO levels influences the exhaled CO concentration (Jones & Lam, 2006). Also, higher carbon monoxide levels were registered in the schools located near busy cities (Borrego, Tchepel, Barros, & Miranda, 2000). Nonetheless, both researchers found that the VOC values were below the standard limit required. These findings create the need for developing useful measures in the public health sector and policies aimed at improving air quality as poor IAQ can potentially affect comfort, concentration, and students/ staff performance (Annesi-Maesano, Baiz, Banerjee, Rudnai, Rive & SINPHONIE Group, 2013).
Conclusion
It is essential for learning institutions to monitor IAQ to avoid exposing pupils to risk continually. Taking measures like improving airing systems is not costly and worth it. Teachers and staff should advocate the opening of doors and windows frequently. When such standards taken into consideration, it will better children’s health and even their performance.
References
Annesi-Maesano, I., Baiz, N., Banerjee, S., Rudnai, P., Rive, S., & SINPHONIE Group. (, 2013). Indoor air quality and sources in schools and related health effects. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 16(8), 491-550.
Borrego, C., Tchepel, O., Barros, N., & Miranda, A. I. (2000). Impact of road traffic emissions on air quality of the Lisbon region. Atmospheric Environment, 34(27), 4683-4690.
Ferreira, A. M. C., & Cardoso, S. M. (2013). Exploratory study of air quality in elementary schools, Coimbra, Portugal. Revista de saude publica, 47, 1059-1068.
Jones, A. Y. M., & Lam, P. K. W. (2006). End-expiratory carbon monoxide levels in healthy subjects living in a densely populated urban environment. Science of the total environment, 354(2-3), 150-156.
Pegas, P. N., Alves, C. A., Evtyugina, M. G., Nunes, T., Cerqueira, M., Franchi, M., … & Freitas, M. C. (2011). Indoor air quality in elementary schools of Lisbon in spring. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 33(5), 455-468.
Tran, V. V., Park, D., & Lee, Y. C. (2020). Indoor Air Pollution, Related Human Diseases, and Recent Trends in the Control and Improvement of Indoor Air Quality. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(8), 2927.
