The perceived indoor climate in Swedish schools

SUMMARY The perceived indoor climate in Swedish schools has been surveyed in a big scale using standardised questionnaires. Two databases covering 324 schools with 11 191 school personnel, among those 7 136 teachers, have been created between 1998 and 2007. Analyses from these databases show that the school personnel mostly complain about noise, dust and dirt, “stuffy” bad air and to a lesser degree about low and varying temperatures and that teachers give a more negative picture than other occupational school groups about the physical school environment. Fatigue, heavy headedness and headache are frequently reported and often related to both noise and deteriorated indoor air. The prevalence of mucous membrane irritations and skin symptoms are mostly low in comparison to many other occupational groups, i.e. office and hospital workers. Those who complain more also relate their symptoms to a higher extent to the school environment.