In this opinion piece from Scientific American, health journalist Maggie Fox talks about how important it is for kids to have clean air in school.
Key points:
“SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID, isn’t the only thing in the air that’s harmful. Other viruses, wildfire smoke, mold, chemicals from plastics, pollution, and allergens can also be in the air and make kids sick.”
“It’s really hard to know how much schools have done to improve indoor air quality. No government agency is tracking air quality in schools across the country. Schools were given money to improve air systems during the pandemic, but a CDC survey in 2022 showed that only half opened windows or used fans, and even fewer upgraded their systems.”
This is a great article. Of course, it doesn’t fix everything, especially with stuff like wildfire smoke, but like the article says, opening windows can help a lot. My family, being Scandinavian, always believed fresh air made you think better. My dad even opened the door in the middle of winter to let fresh air in (we weren’t always thrilled about that). I get that outdoor noise can be distracting, but you could open windows during recess and close them after or let the janitor close them before locking up. Simple steps could make a huge difference.
You make a solid point. But unfortunately, school boards and administrators are often more concerned with appearances than actual safety. Improving air quality doesn’t come with something flashy they can show off to parents. They prefer to spend money on the latest tech or programs that look good on paper.
Another issue is cost. Heating and cooling can be pricey, and having windows that open can be seen as a security risk. Many schools have been updated to include windows that can’t be opened for safety or energy efficiency reasons.
On top of that, most classrooms keep their doors closed to minimize distractions, and many modern doors automatically shut for safety reasons like fire codes or preventing violence. Improving ventilation systems can be expensive, both upfront and in long-term maintenance. It’s not as simple as it sounds.
sherlook said: @PoshTosh
You can get good air filters for classrooms for about $100. It’s not too expensive if schools wanted to invest.
Yes! You can even make affordable DIY HEPA filters using a HEPA filter and a regular box fan. This could even be turned into a cool engineering project for the students.
@Teddy
Sure, but there are rules about what you can have in classrooms. You can’t just throw a DIY fan in there. Plus, those things can get really loud.
sherlook said: @PoshTosh
You can get good air filters for classrooms for about $100. It’s not too expensive if schools wanted to invest.
$100 per classroom sounds small, but when you multiply that by the number of classrooms in a building, it adds up. Plus, filters need regular maintenance and replacement.
@PoshTosh
In the grand scheme of things, especially when you consider how much money schools spend on other stuff, this really isn’t that big of an investment. Plus, it could help reduce sick days, which is a benefit on its own.
@sherlook
You’re right, but even if it seems affordable, any new expense still has to go through approval. Schools don’t just have spare funds lying around. Every new investment needs to be carefully budgeted and justified.
Just saw this troubling article about noxious fumes at a school in NYC. They detected dangerous fumes, but they’re still holding classes as usual. Seems pretty irresponsible to me. link
My kids’ school is currently building a new facility, and one of the big selling points is that the air filtration will be much better in the new building. We’re excited about it, but we still have to wait until the construction is finished.
My district designs new school buildings so that the windows can’t be opened, supposedly for security and energy efficiency. They say the air filtration in the HVAC systems is top-notch, but personally, I’d prefer the option to open a window every now and then.
I’m lucky enough to have windows I can open in my classroom, and I use them whenever I can. I also have a portable air filter in the room. It’s one of those free-standing ones that plugs into the wall. I think the facilities team replaces the filter a couple of times a year.