Pollution sensors installed in schools in Montpellier: discover the list of establishments and why only in CM1 classes

L’appareil a été installé dans les salles de classe de plusieurs écoles. Midi Libre

Cinq écoles de la ville viennent d’être équipées d’un appareil qui va permettre d’évaluer l’exposition des enfants aux polluants.

Measuring pollutants in the air in the classrooms attended by children to understand the impact on their health: this is the aim of a brand new study conducted by the CHU in five schools in Montpellier.

The project, called Synair G, which concerns some 500 young people from Montpellier, is part of research at the European level that plans to include around 3,000 children. This will allow the results to be cross-referenced with several countries. Greece, Georgia and the United Kingdom are participating.

“It's a fantastic opportunity that can be really useful for medical research”, explains its coordinator, Dr. Davide Caimmi, pediatric pneumologist and allergist at the CHU, who initiated the study in France.

Why this study ?

Various pollutants from road traffic, industrial production and others, released into the air are carried by the wind almost everywhere. Classrooms are not exempt from the presence of this pollution and the particles are thus breathed in by children.

To assess the risks associated with these pollutants, and more specifically with regard to allergies and asthma, sensors will therefore collect data in order to measure the degree of exposure of schoolchildren according to the season and changes over time.

Researchers will therefore be able to quantify the link between pollutant concentrations and the deterioration of children's health on respiratory problems.

At the end, scientists will be able to propose preventive measures and recommendations to act on children's health.

Even if European funds ultimately did not allow for the financing of a doctor dedicated to the project, Dr. Caimmi, who is very involved, will ensure this aspect in his free time.

What protocol ?

The sensors for atmospheric pollutants and dust collection have been installed in the classrooms. The data will be analyzed by Isabella Annesi-Maesano, research director at Inserm and professor of environmental epidemiology.

As for the students, they will have to take a spirometry test (a test to measure breathing by blowing into a device), another to quantify the concentration of nitric oxide and possibly give a urine sample. “We will come to the schools three times during the year for the participating students”, explains the coordinator.

The families will then fill out questionnaires that will be available online. “This will allow us to list life changes such as moving, taking in a pet, smoking, access to sports…” So the environment in which the child lives outside of school hours.

And besides, the schoolchildren will also be entitled to their questionnaire. In particular thanks to a fun application to answer while playing.

The volunteers will be able to go into more detail, they will be offered more complete medical monitoring. But only 100 children will be selected: 50 children with allergies or asthma and 50 others without respiratory illness.

Why only CM1 students can participate ?

Only CM1 students were selected. The choice of class is not insignificant as the doctor explains. “This age group was decided at the European level so that there would be homogeneity. The children should not be too young and the age should not exceed 12 years because it is considered that at that time children begin puberty.” A factor to take into account in view of the physical changes, which could distort the results.

Which schools are concerned ?

Five schools were selected to participate in this project. These are Marie-Curie, Eugène-Pottier, Heidelberg, Paul-Bert and Jacques-Brel. The Diderot and Léopold-Sedar-Senghor schoolswere on the departure list but due to planned work in the establishments, the town hall has favoured two other structures.

The departing families

Meetings organised in the schools last spring had shown the parents' support for the project. Among the most enthusiastic, those who belong to the medical profession see it as a relevant opportunity. “This project is not only interesting but also useful for health. It has been able to adapt not only to school but also to children”, explains a doctor father.

Others are delighted: “If it can help improve the quality of life of our children and be used for research, that's great. And my daughter is delighted. We'll see.”

A selection that is already arousing some jealousy from students from other levels in the playground… The youngest hope that the project will continue for a few years until they reach CM1.

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