Occupants’ exposure to indoor air contaminants in European sports halls

This study aims to summarise the extent of occupants’ exposure to air contaminants and the means of reducing exposure in European sports halls. An analysis of the literature via Google Scholar and PubMed revealed that indoor levels of CO2, NO2, PM10, PM2.5 and bacteria exceeded target values or commonly reported indoor levels and may represent harmful exposure. In general, the concentrations of TVOC, VOCs, O3 and SO2 inside the halls were lower than those outside and within the acceptable range. The presence of some VOCs indicates the impact of specific indoor VOC sources on the air quality. The temperature and humidity should be in the thermal comfort range and adapted to the activity at hand. The means of reducing exposure to indoor contaminants include adequate mechanical ventilation with filters, suitable cleaning practices and the avoidance of overcrowding. There is a need to maintain strict air-quality requirements for sports halls.