Dust pollution a threat - in school; EDUCATION: City boffins discover danger chemicals in primary classes.Byline: By Alison Dayani HEALTH CORRESPONDENT BIRMINGHAM scientists today revealed that they have discovered primary schoolchildren are being exposed to harmful polluted dust in classrooms. New research at Birmingham University Birmingham University, at Birmingham, England; founded 1900. It has faculties of arts, science, engineering, medicine and dentistry, commerce and social science, law, and education and continuing studies. shows that the dust is contaminated with relatively high levels of polluting compounds that could pose a risk to human health. The researchers took samples from 20 West Midland Noun 1. West Midland - a dialect of Middle English Middle English - English from about 1100 to 1450 primary school classrooms using a specially modified vacuum cleaner vacuum cleaner, mechanical device using a draft of air to remove dust, loose dirt, or other particulate matter from dry surfaces. It is especially useful on highly textured surfaces, such as carpets and upholstery, that are difficult to clean by wiping or brushing. and were shocked when they analysed the samples of dust in the laboratory. Researchers today presented the evidence at the Dioxin dioxin Aromatic compound, any of a group of contaminants produced in making herbicides (e.g., Agent Orange), disinfectants, and other agents. Their basic chemical structure consists of two benzene rings connected by a pair of oxygen atoms; when substituents on the rings are Conference that chemicals - Persistent Organic Pollutants - which do not degrade in the environment are present at primary schools and can accumulate over time in human or animal tissue creating a risk to health. One of the chemicals, HBCD, is commonly used in wall insulation, electronics and fabric coating with higher levels found in schools than offices or homes. TBBP-A is a flame retardant used in electronic equipment like computers and other pollutants are widely used in stain-proof fabrics and carpets. Birmingham scientists believe that in sufficient quantities both of these chemicals have been shown to have toxic effects on the human hormone system. The research could lead to an overhaul of schools across the country. Birmingham University researcher Emma Goosey said: "Our results show that classrooms contain significant levels of these compounds. "We already know that children are more likely than adults to be exposed to persistent organic pollutants by consuming dust. We also know that they are also more susceptible to the effects of such chemicals. "The levels in classrooms seem to be higher than some other common environments probably because of the high numbers of computers and fire and stain retardants used in furniture. "Because they can accumulate in the body it is important that we monitor levels of exposure across our lifespan." |
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