Dust in the classroom environment is a “serious problem” that is causing asthma among students, according to new research on the indoor air quality in Maltese primary schools.

The study also found that the presence of a particular type of mould or fungi within schools has a significant role in triggering allergies among students. The research, by respiratory specialists Stephen Montefort and Peter Fsadni, forms part of the pan-European Sinphonie study.

There is growing concern about the association of school indoor air quality with asthma, rhinitis (hay fever), and rhinoconjunctivitis (inflammation of the membrane covering the white part of the eye due to allergy).

Poor school indoor air quality may have a negative impact on children’s health, growth and performance at school.

One important finding from the Sinphonie study, Dr Fsadni pointed out, referred to school location, with urban and crowded areas (especially towards the south of Malta) favouring asthma and nasal allergies.

Schools which have a high level of humidity and mould damage inside classrooms were also found to have an increase in allergies among the students.

Excessive indoor dust is also contributing to the disproportionately high burden of asthma in Malta when compared to Mediterranean countries.