Evaluation of Ventilation Deficiecy in Elementary, Middle, and High Schools using Monte Carlo Simulation

Objectives: Indoor air quality has become more important aspeople spend most of their times indoors. Since students spend most of their times at home or at school, they are more likely to be exposed to indoor air pollutants. Ventilation in school classrooms can affect health and learning performance. In this study, ventilation deficiency was evaluated in school classrooms using Monte Carlo simulation. Methods: This study used sensor-based monitoring for six months to measure carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in classrooms in elementary, middle, and high schools. The volume of the classroom and the number of students were investigated, and the students' body surface area was used to calculate the CO2 emission rate. The distribution of ventilation rates was estimated by measured CO2 concentration and a mass-balance model using Monte Carlo simulation. Results: In the elementary, middle, and high schools, the average CO2 concentrations exceeded 1000 ppm, indicating that the ventilation rates were insufficient. The ventilation rates were deficient from July to August and in December, but showed relatively high ventilation rates in October. Forty-three percent of elementary schools, 56% of middle schools, and 62% of high schools showed insufficient ventilation rates. Conclusions: The ventilation rates calculated in elementary, middle and high schools were found to be quite insufficient. Therefore, proper management is needed to overcome the lack of ventilation and improve air quality.

Monte-Carlo 모의실험을 이용한 초·중·고등학교의 환기부족 평가