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Breathing Easy – The Importance of Air Quality in Schools

By Laura Zolcak

August 5, 2024
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Students spend a significant amount of time inside the classroom, so it’s important that they are in a healthy and productive environment.

One of the largest factors impacting student health is indoor air quality (IAQ). Poor indoor air quality is linked to illness, increased absenteeism, and poor student performance, but a well-designed and maintained HVAC system can improve indoor air quality and support student health and academic success.

What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?

IAQ refers to the condition of air inside a building in relation to the health and comfort of its occupants. Often, when we think of “air quality” we think of pollutants and the need for fresh air. However, there are many factors that impact indoor air quality including temperature, humidity, climate, space activity, and pollutants.
College Students Walking through Student Center
College Students Walking through Student Center

Temperature and Humidity

Temperature and humidity play a large role in maintaining good indoor air quality. If a classroom is too hot, cold, dry, or humid, students may feel uncomfortable. If a student feels uncomfortable, they may lose focus, hurting their academic performance.

In addition to comfort, temperature and humidity levels are also crucial factors when maintaining a safe environment. If the humidity levels inside a building are too high, mold and other allergens are more likely to grow and spread, triggering allergic reactions in students and staff. High humidity levels are also a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses and can promote the spread of illnesses. However, if the humidity levels inside a building are too low, students often experience dry skin, itchy and irritated eyes, and increased respiratory issues.

Space Activity

The number of people and type of activity in a confined space can affect indoor air quality. If there are too many people in a space and not enough ventilation, CO2 levels will be too high. This can lead to increased fatigue, nausea, headaches, and decreased focus among building occupants.

Environment: Allergens, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Pollutants

Environmental factors, such as allergens and VOCs, also have a significant impact on indoor air quality. For many years, the discussion on IAQ was centered around ventilation. It was believed that the key to increasing indoor air quality was to bring in more fresh, outside air. However, this so-called “fresh air” may not always meet quality standards. Depending on a building’s geographical location, outdoor air can contain various allergens and pollutants, including pollen, smoke, harmful gases, and VOCs.

Allergens such as dust mites, dander, mold spores, and pollen can trigger allergic reactions and worsen asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals. VOCs, which are emitted by building materials, plastics, paints, gasoline, fumigants and common household items, can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as contribute to long-term health effects such as respiratory problems and organ damage. Air pollutants, including particulate matter, ozone, and carbon monoxide, can affect IAQ and pose serious health risks, especially in urban environments with high levels of pollution.
College students walking outside
College students walking outside

 

Solutions for Better IAQ

While there are many factors that can contribute to poor IAQ, there are also many strategies schools can implement to improve the quality of air that their students breathe. One of the most effective methods to improve IAQ is investing in the design and maintenance of the HVAC system.

Pretreating the outside air is one strategy. This can be done through humidification, dehumidification, filtration, bipolar ionization, UV lights, and gaseous air cleaners.

 

Humidification/Dehumidification

Controlling humidity levels through HVAC system design is essential for preventing mold growth and maintaining a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. Keeping air between 40-60% relative humidity is optimal for building occupant health and comfort.

Filtration

High-quality air filters can trap and remove particles and pollutants such as dust, mold spores, bacteria, and allergens from the air, preventing them from circulating and being inhaled by students.

Carbon filters can absorb gaseous particles, trapping chemical pollutants. Over time, as these filters fill up, they can decrease the efficiency of the system. Regularly changing and maintaining air filters is crucial for ensuring their effectiveness.
Middle school classroom
Middle school classroom
Elementary school classroom Students in lounge

Bipolar Ionization

Bipolar ionization works by releasing positively and negatively charged ions into the air through the HVAC system. These ions attach to airborne particles, causing them to cluster together and become larger and heavier. As a result, these particles are more likely to be captured by the building’s air filters or fall out of the air, thereby improving overall air quality.

Additionally, bipolar ionization has been shown to be effective in neutralizing viruses, bacteria, and mold spores in the air. This can help reduce the spread of infectious diseases and create a safer and healthier indoor environment for students.

UV lights

Installing ultraviolet (UV) lights in HVAC systems can kill harmful particles in the air. The lights disrupt the DNA of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and mold, effectively neutralizing their ability to multiply and spread.

UV lights are particularly effective in preventing mold and mildew growth on the coils of the HVAC system itself, which can improve the efficiency of the system. Additionally, UV lights can help eliminate unpleasant odors and improve overall air quality by neutralizing VOCs in the air.

Gaseous Air Cleaners

Gaseous air cleaners in HVAC systems remove harmful contaminants and odors from the air. These air cleaners use specialized filters and technology to capture and eliminate VOCs, bacteria, viruses, and other airborne pollutants. Gaseous air cleaners also help neutralize odors, improve overall air circulation, and maintain optimal humidity levels. In addition to pretreating air with an HVAC system, schools should monitor their indoor air quality using their building management system and create an IAQ management plan. The EPA has many resources for schools to effectively implement an IAQ management plan.
Elementary school classroom Students in lounge

 

Creating a healthy learning environment in schools goes beyond academic curriculum and extracurricular activities. Prioritizing indoor air quality is essential for the overall well-being and academic success of students and staff. By implementing some of these strategies and investing in quality HVAC design and maintenance, schools can create a healthier learning environment for their students.

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