Air Purification: Can Schools Clean The Air?

Air pollution is a significant issue in schools, affecting the health and academic performance of students and staff. Children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because their organs are still developing, and they breathe more frequently, taking in more pollutants. Schools tend to be located near major roads, exposing students and staff to outdoor emissions during periods of high traffic. To address this issue, schools are implementing air quality monitoring systems and taking action to minimize pollution exposure. Local governments and school districts are also establishing high-resolution air quality monitoring networks to collect and share data with the public. Additionally, the US EPA provides resources and programs to help schools improve indoor air quality and reduce pollution, such as the Clean School Bus Program, which aims to replace diesel school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models.

Characteristics and Values of School Air Pollution Scrubbing

The impact of air pollution on children's health and cognitive development

Air pollution is a significant environmental health problem that affects people of all ages, but children are especially vulnerable. This is because children's organs and natural defenses are still developing, and they breathe more frequently than adults, taking in more air per unit of body weight. As a result, children exposed to air pollution are more susceptible to its harmful effects, which can have a detrimental impact on their health and cognitive development.

Numerous studies have found adverse effects of air pollutants on cognitive and psychomotor functions in children and adolescents. Exposure to pollutants can damage the brain and nervous system, impacting cognitive skills such as attention, memory, and learning. For example, exposure to nitrogen dioxide is linked to impaired working memory and general cognitive functions, while particulate matter 2.5 is associated with difficulties in short-term memory, attention, and processing speed. The effects of air pollution on cognitive development may not always be immediate, with some studies showing that negative consequences may not become apparent until children reach school age or adulthood.

The physical health of children is also at risk due to air pollution. Inhalation of air pollutants can lead to respiratory issues such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and respiratory infections. Additionally, air pollution has been linked to alterations in the immune system, with some studies indicating a potential suppression of host immunity. Children in regions with higher levels of ambient air pollution are also at an increased risk of developing vitamin D-deficiency rickets.

Recognizing the vulnerability of children to air pollution, organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association offer resources and initiatives to improve indoor air quality in schools. The EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools program provides guidance and tools to help schools identify and address indoor air quality issues, while the American Lung Association's Clean Air School Challenge empowers schools to create healthier learning environments. These efforts are crucial in protecting children's health and supporting their cognitive development.

Strategies to reduce traffic-related pollution near schools

Urban Planning and Design Strategies

Urban planning and design play a crucial role in reducing exposure to traffic-related air pollution. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has developed guidelines and technical advisories to assist planners and decision-makers. These include:

• Siting schools at least 500 feet away from freeways, urban roads with 100,000 vehicles per day, or rural roads with 50,000 vehicles per day, as recommended in CARB's "Land Use Handbook."
• Implementing sound wall-vegetation combination barriers near roadways to mitigate traffic noise and air pollution.
• Adopting sustainable community design principles, such as infill development, which can provide public health, climate, and financial benefits.

Traffic Management Strategies

Traffic management strategies can help reduce the number of vehicles on the road and, consequently, decrease traffic-related pollution:

• Encouraging students and staff to use public transportation, carpool, or walk/bike to school can reduce the number of vehicles near the school.
• Implementing school bus improvement programs, such as the Clean School Bus National Idle Reduction Campaign, can reduce emissions from school buses.
• Promoting "zero-emission" alternatives for cars and trucks can significantly reduce traffic pollution.

Indoor Air Quality Improvement

Improving indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools can create healthier learning environments and protect students and staff from the harmful effects of air pollution:

• High-efficiency filtration systems in school ventilation systems can remove over 90% of particles from incoming outdoor air, improving indoor air quality.
• Regular maintenance of ventilation units in classrooms and immediate reporting of any IAQ issues are essential to ensuring good air quality.
• Opening doors and windows, using air cleaners, and removing sources of air pollution can also help improve indoor air quality in schools.

Community Education and Awareness

Educating the school community about air pollution and its impacts is vital for fostering a collective effort to reduce traffic-related pollution:

• The US EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) uses colored flags to notify communities about outdoor air quality conditions. Schools can participate in this program to raise awareness and teach students about air quality.
• The Clean Air School Challenge empowers schools to create healthier learning environments and improve indoor air quality through training, mentorship, and technical assistance.
• Parents and students can actively participate in school IAQ management teams, advocating for healthy indoor air and influencing decision-making processes.

The role of teachers and parents in advocating for healthy indoor air quality

Children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because their organs, including their lungs, are still developing. They also breathe more frequently than adults, which means they can take in more pollutants. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can cause or contribute to short- and long-term health problems, including asthma, respiratory tract infections, allergic reactions, headaches, nasal congestion, eye and skin irritations, coughing, sneezing, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea.

Teachers are on the front lines of this issue and can be powerful advocates for creating healthy indoor environments. They can perceive when IAQ changes affect students and themselves. Teachers can also promote health, wellness, and academic productivity by being involved in creating a clean and healthy learning environment. Teachers and administrators should be mindful of how their activities directly affect ventilation pathways and sources of pollutants in their classrooms. For example, they should avoid using ventilation units as bookshelves or covering air return ducts, as this restricts the pathway for fresh air to enter the area. Teachers can also complete IAQ checklists, monitor their behavior, and alert the IAQ Coordinator of any issues.

Parents can also play an important role in creating healthy indoor school environments. Parents who are passionate about clean, healthy indoor air can be effective members of a school's IAQ management team and can make a powerful case for protecting health in schools. School nurses can play a primary role in the early detection of an IAQ problem when observing children who are sick. Illness due to poor IAQ may not produce easily recognizable symptoms, so it is important for schools to have the tools and resources to develop and sustain an effective IAQ management program.

To improve IAQ in schools, it is best to remove the source of air pollution if possible. Other strategies include airing out classrooms by opening doors and windows, and using air cleaners to filter the air. Schools can also implement programs to reduce traffic-related pollution exposure, such as the Clean School Bus National Idle Reduction Campaign.

Guidelines and tools for improving indoor air quality in schools

Children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults as their natural defenses and organs are still developing. They also breathe more frequently than adults, which means they can take in more pollutants. Therefore, maintaining and improving indoor air quality in schools is a top priority. Poor air quality can lead to the development of asthma, infectious diseases, and fatigue, creating an unhealthy environment that severely inhibits performance in the classroom.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed several resources to help schools improve their indoor air quality (IAQ). The agency's IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit provides guidance and tools to help schools resolve and prevent IAQ problems and maintain good IAQ. The kit includes recommendations for low-cost ways to improve air quality, such as increasing ventilation by opening windows, monitoring local pollution levels, using fans to increase airflow, and replacing air filters regularly. The EPA also offers factsheets and the Framework for Effective School IAQ Management to help schools facing the consequences of climate change, such as wildfires and heatwaves, and other stressors like infectious diseases.

In addition to the EPA's resources, there are other strategies and tools that schools can use to improve IAQ. Continuous monitoring of IAQ is essential, and modern smart technology and systematized monitoring devices provide real-time data on harmful particles and key IAQ metrics. Installing an air pressure system helps control the amount of air escaping and entering a building, optimizing comfort, energy costs, and moisture levels. Air purifiers are another effective option for removing air pollution and harmful particulates. Schools can also address traffic-related pollution exposure by participating in programs like the Clean School Bus National Idle Reduction Campaign and using flags based on the EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) to notify communities about outdoor air quality conditions.

While these guidelines and tools provide a starting point for improving IAQ in schools, it is important to recognize that each school faces unique air quality concerns due to factors such as location and nearby sources of pollution. Schools should prioritize understanding their specific IAQ challenges and work collaboratively with their communities to implement effective solutions.

The importance of air quality monitoring and taking preventative measures

Children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because their organs and natural defenses are still developing. They also breathe more frequently than adults, which means they can take in more pollutants. As a result, air pollution can affect how children learn and harm their growing lungs. It can also cause short- and long-term health problems for faculty and staff, including asthma, respiratory tract infections, allergic reactions, headaches, and nausea.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is of utmost importance as school-aged children spend a significant amount of time inside school buildings. Poor IAQ can have severe consequences, impacting the health and comfort of students and staff, and contributing to absenteeism and reduced productivity. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize creating healthy indoor environments in schools.

Air quality monitoring plays a crucial role in understanding and improving indoor air quality in schools. It involves the systematic, long-term assessment of pollutant levels by measuring the quantity and types of pollutants in the air. This data is then compared to clean air standards, historical information, and health and environmental impact data to determine the state of the air and compliance with air quality standards. Monitoring helps identify air pollution levels and hotspots, especially in areas lacking adequate coverage, such as counties or regions that need to monitor key pollutants like PM2.5.

To improve indoor air quality in schools, it is essential to take preventative measures and remove the sources of air pollution. This can be achieved by airing out classrooms, using air cleaners to filter the air, and implementing effective IAQ management programs. Teachers, parents, and students can also play a role in advocating for and creating healthy indoor environments, ensuring the well-being of the school community.

Frequently asked questions