How to Improve Air Quality in School Classrooms

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• 2 Minutes

Breathing clean air in classrooms is necessary for optimal learning and health. Air purifiers play a key role in combating pollutants, allergens, and even viruses so that every breath taken is clean and healthy. This article will help you understand the types, benefits, and key considerations when choosing the best classroom air purifier.

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Stuffy, stale classroom air is more than just uncomfortable—it can be detrimental to the learning process. Classrooms can harbor various pollutants and allergens, from dust mites to pollen to mold spores. These particles worsen indoor air quality (IAQ), negatively impacting student health and productivity. Thankfully, a classroom air purifier can combat these harmful particles and improve the health of your students and teachers.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• The state of air quality in schools
• The role of air purifiers in enhancing classroom air quality
• The types of air purifiers available
• The benefits of integrating air purifiers into classrooms
• Key considerations when choosing the best school air purifiers for classrooms

The State of Air Quality in Schools

The topic of air quality in schools has become one of increasing attention after the COVID-19 pandemic, and for good reason. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly 20% of Americans (56 million people) spend their days in elementary and secondary schools. Yet, 50% of schools have poor IAQ.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of poor IAQ. Their learning environment greatly impacts their academic performance and overall health and well-being. Some significant impacts of poor IAQ include:

• Respiratory issues like asthma, allergies, chronic respiratory diseases, and decreased lung function growth
• Significantly lowered cognitive function and decreased academic performance
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Long-term health effects such as a higher risk of developing heart disease in adulthood

Conventional Methods for Air Quality Improvement

Some tried-and-true conventional methods for air quality improvement have been used for years and can help, including:

• Ventilation and open windows: Schools should maintain their HVAC systems to ensure proper air circulation, preventing stale air. Regularly opening windows for a continuous flow of cleaner outdoor air can significantly reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants.
• Regular cleaning: Vacuuming, dusting, and mopping can significantly reduce pollutants such as dust and pollen on classroom surfaces. It’s best to use simple, natural, and eco-friendly cleaning products that don’t introduce more pollutants-such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.
• Using plants as natural air purifiers: Certain plants can act as natural air purifiers by absorbing pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia. Some strategically placed indoor plants throughout your classroom can help boost the air quality and aesthetics of the space.

The Role of Air Purifiers

While conventional methods can improve air quality to some extent, classroom air purifiers take air purification to the next level. With the increasing awareness of the importance of IAQ in schools, air purifiers have never been a more critical addition to classrooms.

Removing Pollutants and Allergens

Air purifiers utilize specialized filters designed to capture tiny particles from the air, including:

• Dust mites
• Pollen
• Wildfire smoke
• Mold spores
• Allergens
• Viruses

These harmful particles get trapped in the air filter as air circulates through the purifier, ensuring that the air released back into the classroom is cleaner and healthier.

Combatting Odors

Classrooms can also harbor unpleasant odors from food, art supplies, wildfire smoke, or other sources. Air purifiers with activated carbon filters are great at absorbing these odors. They trap the odor molecules and help minimize them.

Reducing Airborne Transmission of Viruses

As the world continues to recover from the pandemic, the importance of reducing the airborne transmission of viruses has come to the forefront. Some air purifiers with specific antimicrobial filters can target and neutralize harmful microorganisms, including certain viruses and bacteria. This added layer of protection can be especially beneficial during flu seasons or outbreaks, helping to keep your classrooms free from airborne viruses like COVID-19.

Types of Air Purifiers

There are various types of air purifiers to tackle specific air quality challenges. They employ unique mechanisms to make your classroom air pure and high quality. Let’s look at three of the most common types of air purifiers and how they improve IAQ:

• HEPA filters: High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters trap at least 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns in size. This includes common allergens like pollen and dust and pollutants like mold and virus particles.
• Activated carbon filters: Activated carbon filters are designed to combat odors and gaseous pollutants such as VOCs. The activated carbon has a porous surface that adsorbs these harmful particles, effectively trapping and neutralizing them. These filters are often combined with HEPA filters for a comprehensive air purifying solution.
• UV-C light: UV-C light neutralizes harmful pathogens by targeting their DNA and RNA with ultraviolet light. This includes certain bacteria, viruses like COVID-19, and mold spores.

Benefits for Classrooms

When used individually or in combination, these air purifiers offer numerous benefits for classrooms, including:

• Improves cognitive function for enhanced academic performance
• Reduces absenteeism from sick days
• Protects students and staff from harmful air pollutants and allergens
• Improves general well-being by mitigating short- and long-term health risks
• Helps reduce distractions in the classroom (bonus: including as a white noise machine)

Considerations When Choosing an Air Purifier

Selecting the best air purifier for large classrooms isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. When shopping, consider these key features:

• Filter types: The best school air purifiers will have a combination HEPA and carbon filters. A UV-C light feature is a bonus.
• Room size: Look for a model with a high clean air delivery rate (CADR) that can cover your classroom’s square footage.
• Fan speeds & quiet modes: Features like multiple fan speeds including sleep or quiet modes are best for classrooms so they can run all day without disrupting lectures.
• Energy efficiency: Look for air purifiers with energy-saving modes or the ENERGY STAR certification.
• Timers: Having a timer is helpful in case you forget to turn it off at the end of the day.

Invest in Cleaner Air

Prioritizing cleaner air in classrooms provides countless rewards, from healthier, more productive students to improved learning environments. Classroom air purifiers are the best tool at your disposal to improve your classroom air quality. By investing in these invaluable machines, you invest in the future of your students, educators, and the entire school community.

Breathe easier with the best school air purifiers at Binding101. Need help choosing the right model for your space? Call us at {{block class="Ktpl\Selfmodification\Block\ConfigValue" template="Magento_Theme::page/phonenumber.phtml"}} for guidance.

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