Bacteria commonly found in school dust may be harming children’s lung health, according to new research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona.
The study, which analysed data from nearly 300 classrooms across 22 European countries, found that higher levels of two bacterial groups – Streptomyces and Mycobacterium – were associated with measurable reductions in children’s breathing capacity.
Children in classrooms with more Streptomyces bacteria had lungs that could hold 0.08 litres less air than those in cleaner classrooms. Higher levels of Mycobacterium were linked to slightly lower airflow rates.
Dr Soutrik Banerjee from the University of Ferrara, Italy, who presented the research, said: ‘Although the reductions we found were modest for each child, they are statistically significant and could be important for the wider population.
‘Children are exposed to school indoor environments every weekday and a mild to moderate reduction in lung function today may be a pre-cursor to preventable lung disease in later life.’
The researchers used standard breathing tests called spirometry to measure children’s lung function, adjusting their analysis for factors including age, gender, passive smoking, and local air pollution levels.
Dr Banerjee suggests two possible explanations for the link. The bacteria may directly irritate children’s airways or trigger immune responses that affect lung function. Alternatively, they could be markers of broader classroom problems – such as dampness, poor ventilation, or inadequate cleaning practices.
He aid: ‘We know that indoor air quality in schools can be affected by pollutants, humidity, ventilation, temperature, dampness and biological agents like fungi and bacteria. However, much less is known about whether the types of bacteria growing in classroom dust are linked to children’s lung function.’
Professor Alexander Möller, Head of the European Respiratory Society’s Paediatric Assembly, who was not involved in the study, said: ‘The practical message is not that schools should become sterile environments. Rather, schools should focus on good indoor air quality: adequate ventilation, control of dampness and mould, regular cleaning and proper building maintenance.
‘This study suggests that investment in indoor air quality, building maintenance and monitoring of environmental conditions in classrooms is money well spent.’
Photo: Quilia
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