Study of Indoor Air Pollutants and Their Impact in Childhood Health and Wellbeing

"Performing lung function tests and FeNO following European Respiratory Society (ERS) standardized guidelines, through the MIR portable spirometer and the NIOX Vero®, respectively.~Spirometry is performed using a portable spirometer. All manoeuvres are performed according to the American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) standards.~FeNO test is a quick and non-invasive test that is easy for children to do. To take the test, the child have to blow into a handheld device (NIOX Vero®). More in detail, children are asked to inhale ambient air through a nitrogen oxide scrubber to total lung capacity, and then exhale for 10 seconds. The test results are available right away."

"(Baseline, Follow-up, Quality of life and Final) allowing to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, health outcomes, potential risk factors, lifestyle and living environment.~Health outcomes will consider general health (general status, infections, allergies), respiratory health (asthma symptoms, diagnosis, control, triggers, medications, etc.), perception of health and well-being."

"Children will have to answer a daily questionnaire on cell phone, tablet, computer...), with the help of parents/caregivers.~To encourage children to answer the questions, the questionnaires will be incorporated into a game that will also teach them about environmental challenges and pollutants in Europe.~There will be a general health questionnaire with 3 questions assessed on a Likert scale.~The application will also include 2 questions on respiratory health, with Yes/No answers. If the answer is Yes to one of the questions, the intensity of symptoms will be assessed on a visual analog scale from 0 to 100 (0 almost no symptoms and 100 the most intense symptoms imaginable)."

On a voluntary basis, a urine sample will be collected, as well.

"* Particulate matter (PM) will be assessed with a counter as a well as a remote sensor (Canarin) .~* Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) with a passive sampler (Radiello).~* Virus and bacteria will be collected with a pump.~The devices will be attached to the classroom wall.~In addition, dust pollution will be assessed by collecting dust with a vacuum cleaner in order to assess phthalates (Dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalates, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate)."