The phrase "comparative area" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe the differences in the size of a particular place or region, relative to another. For example, "The United States has an area of 3.797 million square miles, which is almost four times larger than the comparative area of France."
The mean of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in classrooms was found higher in comparative area compared to studied area.
Table 1 shows that the mean of indoor PM2.5 in studied area was higher as compared to comparative area.
VOCs concentration levels were slightly higher in comparative area compared to the studied area due to the presence of VOCs-emitting materials in preschools buildings.
The distribution of CO2 between studied and comparative areas indicates no significant difference, whereas, for CO, the mean was higher in the studied area as compared to comparative area.
The mean indoor concentration of PM10 was higher in the studied area compared to the comparative area.
Cooking activity inside the building might have contributed to higher PM2.5, compared to preschools in the comparative area.
The SEIFA index is a validated and standardised metric that provides a comparative area-level measure on education, income, occupation, living conditions and access to services [ 32].
Statistical analysis also showed a significant difference in indoor PM10 levels between studied and comparative areas (Z = −6.445, P < 0.001).
Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference between indoor VOCs levels between the studied and comparative areas.
There was a statistical significant difference between CO levels in classrooms in studying and comparative areas (Z = 7.866, P < 0.001).
Results show that there was a statistical significant difference between indoor VOCs levels in studied and comparative areas (Z = −2.214, P < 0.05).
