The Impact of Clean Air in Classrooms on Your Child’s Academic Performance

As children have gone back to school now in full swing, there is a worrying statistic (according to a CDC report) that 14 million school days were missed by students due to allergies and asthma. In fact, about 50 percent all schools have poor indoor air quality. With cleaner air, students concentrate better and get higher grades. It also helps reduce absenteeism as kids are less likely to get sick and enhances productivity.

Parents and students can work with school officials to promote better air quality indoors and to make sure indoor air quality is a top priority, here’s what can be done:

Adequate air ventilation & source control: One step to improving indoor air quality in schools is to improve building ventilation. Schools must ensure the school ventilation system is working properly, undergoes regular inspection and maintenance, and has its filters replaced on a routine basis.

Comprehensive cleaning program: Schools should be sure that hallways and classroom floors are wet mopped, and surfaces dusted frequently using safe, non-toxic cleaning products and paints. It is also imperative to identify and eliminate sources of moisture that promote mold and mildew which will reduce the spread of infectious illness, as well as the triggers for asthma and allergies.

Fragrance-free schools: Strong scents and fragrances can contribute to poor indoor air quality that can be unhealthy to students and teachers alike. There are many people who experience unpleasant physical effects from scented products and a growing number of people who suffer more severe reactions to these types of products and chemicals.

(Credit: TR Ganesh, General Manager, Blueair Middle East)