Steps To Reduce Air Pollution In Schools

Air pollution is a serious issue that affects schools and campuses, impacting the health of students, teachers, and staff. It is essential to address this problem to protect the well-being of the entire school community, especially children, who are more vulnerable to the negative consequences of air pollution due to their developing organs. Schools often find themselves near major roads, exposing students and staff to outdoor emissions. Therefore, implementing strategies to reduce air pollution in and around schools is crucial. This paragraph will discuss the importance of tackling air pollution in schools and explore some measures that can be taken to create a healthier learning environment.

Encourage students to walk, cycle or scoot to school

Encouraging students to walk, cycle, or scoot to school can be a great way to reduce air pollution and congestion around the school gates, as well as bringing a host of benefits for students' health and wellbeing. Here are some ideas to encourage students to use their own power to get to school:

Lead by Example

Staff and teachers can lead by example by also walking, cycling, or scooting to school. This not only shows students that it can be done, but also that adults recognize the importance of this initiative and are willing to make changes themselves.

Active Travel Programs

Schools can implement active travel programs, such as the Ride or Walk to School and It’s Your Move Safe Cycle programs offered by the ACT Government. These programs aim to make the environment around schools safer for active travel and increase the number of students choosing to walk, cycle, or scoot.

Walking and Cycling Schemes

Schools can take part in walking and cycling schemes, such as the WOW scheme (Walk every Wednesday or Walk once a Week) supported by the charity Living Streets. This can help to build a sense of community and encourage students to take part. For example, Sunny Bank Primary School in Lancashire formed a walking bus, with parents and grandparents picking up pupils at designated points along the route.

Adventurous Initiatives

Teachers at Cuffley Primary School in Hertfordshire developed an Advent Walking Bus, where each child received a beautifully designed Advent calendar and a new tile for it each time they walked to school. Another initiative was to create a passport system, with different country flags hidden along three main routes to school for students to spot.

Rewards and Badges

At Boldon Secondary School, students who took part in the Free Your Feet initiative received badges and the person with the most miles walked or cycled received a £50 reward.

Education

Educating students about the health and environmental benefits of walking or cycling to school can help encourage them to make this choice. Assemblies and diaries, as used in the Free Your Feet initiative, are great ways to do this.

Make it Fun

Walking, cycling, or scooting to school can be made into a fun, social activity. Students can be encouraged to invite their parents or friends to join them, making it a positive experience and helping to build a habit.

By implementing these initiatives and more, schools can play a vital role in reducing air pollution and improving the health and wellbeing of their students.

Implement no-idling policies for cars and buses

Idling vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution and can have a detrimental impact on the health of students, teachers, and staff. Implementing no-idling policies for cars and buses can significantly improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions.

No-idling zones and policies encourage drivers to turn off their engines when their vehicles are not in motion. This is especially important for schools, as children are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of vehicle pollution due to their developing lungs and faster breathing rates. Idling vehicles create exhaust emissions that contain nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, which contribute to the formation of ozone smog and harmful particulate matter. By turning off engines, schools can reduce these emissions and improve the air quality for their students and the surrounding community.

To implement a successful no-idling policy, schools should first spread awareness among parents, bus drivers, and staff. This can be done through signs, flyers, newsletters, and online articles. It is also important to review and comply with state and local idling laws, and to train bus drivers on idle reduction policies. Schools can also work with bus companies to ensure policies are implemented and recognized, and even develop educational programs for students about air pollution.

Additionally, schools can take steps to streamline their pickup and drop-off processes to reduce idle time for cars and buses, as seen in the example of Sunrise R-IX School in De Soto, MO, which reduced idle time for cars by 50% and buses by 40%, resulting in improved air quality and reduced fuel costs. Schools can also consider implementing idle reduction technologies, such as auxiliary power units, automatic shutdown/start-up devices, or battery-powered air conditioning, to further reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.

By implementing no-idling policies and making small changes to their processes, schools can play a crucial role in reducing air pollution, protecting the health of their students and staff, and contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment for their community.

Improve ventilation and air quality monitoring systems

Improving ventilation and air quality monitoring systems is essential to reduce air pollution in schools. Here are some detailed steps to achieve this:

Improve Ventilation Systems

• Ensure proper maintenance of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems: Regular maintenance and cleaning of HVAC systems are crucial to ensure optimal performance and prevent the buildup of dust, pollutants, and allergens. Schools should have a scheduled maintenance routine for these systems.
• Increase air circulation: Encouraging natural ventilation by opening windows and doors, when weather permits, can help improve air circulation and reduce the concentration of indoor air pollutants.
• Install air purifiers: Investing in high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers in classrooms and other enclosed spaces can help capture fine particles, such as dust, pollen, and allergens, improving the overall air quality.

Enhance Air Quality Monitoring Systems

• Install air quality sensors: Deploying air quality sensors at multiple locations across the school campus, including classrooms, hallways, and outdoor areas, will provide real-time data on various pollutants. These sensors can measure factors like particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and ozone (O3).
• Implement a centralized monitoring system: Collecting data from all the sensors and feeding it into a centralized system will enable facilities or school administrators to monitor air quality in different areas of the school in real time. This system can provide alerts when pollutant levels exceed safe thresholds.
• Establish air quality guidelines: Based on the data collected, schools can develop guidelines and protocols to maintain healthy air quality. These guidelines should outline the actions to be taken when pollutant levels are high, such as increasing ventilation, using air purifiers, or temporarily relocating students and staff to areas with better air quality.
• Educate staff and students: Raising awareness about air quality issues and providing education on the potential health risks associated with poor air quality can empower students and staff to take proactive measures. This may include simple actions like opening windows, reporting unusual odours, or seeking help in case of suspected air quality issues.
• Regularly review and adjust: Schools should periodically review the data collected by the monitoring systems and adjust their protocols accordingly. This iterative process will help identify trends, sources of pollution, and the effectiveness of implemented measures, leading to continuous improvement in maintaining healthy air quality.

Avoid burning garbage or having backyard fires

Burning garbage in your backyard, or open burning, is a common method to dispose of waste, especially in rural areas. However, it is important to avoid this practice as it can have severe negative impacts on the environment and human health.

Open burning of garbage releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, including hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), particle pollution, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants can have detrimental effects on the health of those who inhale them, including homeowners, their families, neighbours, and the wider community. The release of particulate matter, for instance, can cause cardiac and respiratory problems, and even lead to heart attacks. Particle pollution can also contain heavy metals, further exacerbating its negative impact on human health.

The burning of plastics, polystyrene, CCA pressure-treated wood, and bleached or coloured papers can produce particularly harmful chemicals when burned. For example, the burning of CCA pressure-treated wood, which contains arsenic, can release arsenic into the smoke or leave it in the ash, which can then be inhaled or come into contact with humans in other ways.

Open burning also increases the risk of wildfires, as well as injuries and fatalities. Between 1988 and 2000, for instance, 226 people in Oklahoma were hospitalized for injuries related to trash burning, with three reported deaths.

Instead of burning garbage, there are several alternative methods of waste disposal that are safer for human health and the environment. These include:

• Reducing waste by avoiding unnecessary purchases and selecting products with minimal packaging.
• Reusing items and buying products that can be refilled or recycled.
• Composting plant-based kitchen and yard waste.
• Disposing of waste through a licensed sanitation service or landfill.

Encourage carpooling and use of public transport

Encouraging carpooling and the use of public transport can significantly reduce air pollution around schools. When fewer cars are on the road, air pollution decreases, and the air quality improves. Schools can play a role in encouraging students and their families to adopt these sustainable practices.

One way to do this is to promote carpooling within the school community. This can be done by organizing carpools for students who live in the same neighbourhood or area. By having students and their parents participate in carpooling, the number of cars on the road can be reduced, leading to lower emissions and improved air quality. Schools can facilitate this by creating a system where parents can sign up to carpool with others in their area.

Additionally, schools can encourage students and their families to use public transportation. Public transport produces lower emissions per passenger mile than private vehicles and is constantly improving under regulations like California's Innovative Clean Transit rule. By choosing public transport, students and their families can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to cleaner air. Schools can promote this by providing information about public transport routes and schedules, as well as offering incentives or rewards for those who make the switch.

To further reduce emissions from vehicles, schools can also educate students and parents about efficient driving practices. This includes reducing unnecessary idling, which wastes fuel and pollutes the air. Modern vehicles do not need to be "warmed up" in the winter, so turning the engine on only when ready to drive can help reduce emissions. Schools can share such tips with the school community to raise awareness and encourage more sustainable practices.

By implementing these initiatives, schools can play a crucial role in reducing air pollution and improving the health and well-being of their students, staff, and the wider community.

Frequently asked questions