Colin McQuillan
Kanenori. (2022).
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters in Schools
Most students and teachers think that the air in their classrooms is clean. However, research shows that the air in schools can be worse than the air outside. This exposes students to many unsafe pollutants that may affect their health, and ability to concentrate.
A study published in Indoor Air (2024) looks at air pollution levels in a UK high school. The study analyzed how air pollution gets into schools, how it impacts students, and how to minimize the problem. They found that classrooms that are closer to busier roads and those with carpeted floors had the worst air quality. Cooking classrooms had lower average pollution but experienced occasional spikes when in use.
Key Findings
The study found that classroom air pollution is worryingly high. PM 2.5 levels ranged from 8.1 to 14.4 µg/m3, while PM 10 reached up to 51 µg/m3 in some classrooms, exceeding the WHO’s 24-hour safety guideline of 45 µg/m3.
Particulate Matter, or PM is the small airborne particles that can be inhaled causing long-term health problems. PM10 are larger particles like dust and pollen that irritate the airways. PM2.5 includes smaller particles from vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and burning fuels, that can enter the lungs and bloodstream. PM1 is the smallest and most harmful, mostly originating from traffic pollution and industrial sources.
The study found that fine particles (PM1 and PM2.5) mainly came from outside sources, while larger particles (PM10) were more influenced by indoor sources such as carpets, dust, and student movement.
Impact on students
Poor air quality in schools is a long-term issue with serious consequences for students. The exposure to elevated PM levels has been linked to asthma, respiratory infections, reduced lung function, weakened immune systems and cardiovascular issues later in life. Research also shows that poor air quality impairs cognitive function, reducing attention spans, memory problems and academic performance. Students in high-pollution classrooms may struggle more with concentration and problem-solving tasks, ultimately affecting their learning outcomes.
What Schools Can Do to Improve Air Quality
Students spend most of their day at school indoors, so long-term solutions are essential to improving their health. Schools can take inexpensive and simple steps to reduce indoor air pollution and create a more engaging learning environment overall.
One of the best ways to reduce classroom air pollution is to remove carpets and replace them with hard flooring like tile. This reduces the amount of dust trapped and therefore particles in the air. Improving the ventilation systems, especially in urban schools near busy roads is most important. Installing high-efficiency air filters can help reduce indoor PM levels drastically. Schools should also routinely inspect and maintain HVAC systems to ensure that air circulation and filtration is in proper order. Areas with high outdoor pollution would benefit from installing air purifiers in classrooms.
Students and teachers will continue to face daily exposure to poor air quality that could have long-term lasting consequences without change. The physical and cognitive development of students may suffer as a result. Providing cleaner indoor air is a necessary step toward protecting the development of current and future generations.
Joeyleelee. (2024).
Joeyleelee. (2024). Bridge Nature Landscape Outdoors. https://pixabay.com/photos/bridge-nature-landscape-outdoors-8800485/