Schools use air filters to keep their heating and air systems clean, as well as remove harmful particles from the air that we breathe all day. With students spending nearly one half of their awake time at school during weekdays, something needs to be done to protect respiratory health.

The particulate matter we find outdoors consists of a variety of natural elements and human-made sources such as fires, construction zones, power plants, and automobiles. Indoor particulate matter is a result of but not limited to local weather, other surrounding structures, and building characteristics like ventilation and the location of fresh air intakes. Also, a significant source of indoor particulates is human activities that cause the resuspension of settled dust.

Particle pollution is divided into two main categories, namely “inhalable coarse particles” (PM10) and “fine particles” (PM2.5) based on their size.

Sefi Roth of the London School of Economics examined the correlation between indoor air quality and test scores. He provides compelling evidence that short term exposures to elevated levels of PM10 affect cognitive performance. His analysis revealed a flat relationship between pollution and test scores with significant negative results at relatively low levels of PM10 (50 micrograms per cubic meter). Importantly, these levels are well below the current US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. The results imply that taking an exam with pollution above 75 (micrograms per cubic meter) reduces students’ scores by 21 percent of a standard deviation, compared to being exposed to PM10 levels between 0 and 25.

Protecting student and faculty respiratory health is quite simple to do. By adding high-efficiency air filtration to rooftop units, ductless units, and wall mount units, we can provide a cleaner indoor environment for them to thrive academically.

Please reach out to the indoor air quality experts at Geary Pacific to learn more about some cost-effective solutions to cleaner air.