Page 43 - spaces4learning, Spring 2021

PHOTO CREDIT DENIS STAROSTIN
ASTHMA-RELATED ILLNESS IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF SCHOOL ABSENTEEISM.
By providing clean air, schools can help students focus on the subjects at hand instead of being distracted with sneezes and the discomfort of not being able to take a deep breath.
Importance of Proper Ventilation
Another step towards improving indoor air quality in schools is to improve overall ventilation. The California Energy Commission reports that ventilation rates in most schools are below recom- mended levels, both in the United States and in Europe. In fact, in a California study, one in every three schools had ventilation rates that were less than half the recommended levels. A new law signed
in Sept. 2020, Assembly Bill 841, set aside $600 million for public school energy improvements like improved HVAC systems.
Opening windows periodically can help balance the flow of outdoor air inside to improve air quality. Removing pollution sources can also greatly increase air quality indoors. Common sources of pollution in schools include toxic cleaners, paints, and materials with formaldehyde. The Environmental Protection Agency offers a list of technological solutions specific to air qual- ity. On top of these efforts, using an air purifier has the potential to eliminate 99.97% of airborne pollutants with an immediate effect, maintaining optimal air quality levels in the classroom.
Finding the Best
Air Purifier for Your School
There are many variables that come into play when considering an air purifier for your classroom or learning space.
• Performance: Above all, it’s important that your air purifier
maintains a certain level of performance. A single-pass filtration rate (99.97% down to 0.3 microns) is one indicator, but the best indicator is the Clean Air Delivery Rate, or CADR. This takes the single-pass filtration rate into con- sideration but also looks at the amount of clean air that the unit produces. The higher the CADR, the greater volume
of clean air it produces. The AHAM Verifide program from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) is an independent testing program that tests for CADR and makes recommendations on appropriate room size based on this performance. Look out for products that have tested through this program to be sure you are getting a high level of performance.
• Classroom space: Depending on how large or small your classroom is, different air purifiers can circulate air into a range of different size rooms through the CADR. Also for consideration is the Changes Per Hour (ACH). Some air pu- rifiers will change the air in your room only once per hour, so look for those that have higher air changes per hour for better performance.
• Sound: Some air purifiers are louder than others. Do your research before buying an air purifier. As many teachers know, anything can be a distraction for students, so consider purchasing a purifier that makes minimal noise.
• Design: The days of bulky, obtrusive air purifiers are long gone. There are many options in the market that can easily fit within the aesthetic you are looking to achieve in your learning space.
Student and faculty health has always been a top priority for schools and will remain so as we embark on this new post- COVID-19 era. While 2020 was a stressful year for everyone, it also served as an opportunity to usher in change and prior- itize health. Classrooms will continue to adapt to create the safest and most efficient learning environments.
Kevin Luo is a Senior Air Filtration Specialist for Blueair, a Unilever brand focusing on air purification solutions for home and professional use.
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