EDUCATION & STUDENT FACILITIES


'GRADE A' AIR QUALITY


Schools should be a safe place to learn, yet 86% of new schools in England are in areas breaching World Health Organization air pollution limits; that’s 147 schools. Externally, the main pollutant of concern is NOx, 65% of which originates from road transport.


What can be done to improve air quality in and around schools? Megan Bennett, Product Marketing Manager at Nuaire, looks at some of the potential solutions.


Short-term exposure to concentrations of NOx can cause inflammation of the airways and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and to allergens. Children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies are still developing. Furthermore, children tend to spend more time outside – including travelling to and from school - so have greater exposure to polluted air.


Over the years we have come to better understand the harm brought about by exposure to external air pollution, even in small amounts. But indoor air quality, on the other hand, is very much understudied in comparison, despite the fact that it impacts pupils' health and concentration, affecting attendance and attainment.


What can be done to improve air


quality in and around schools? Externally, the focus is on encouraging people away from their cars for short journeys and campaigning for wider access to reliable, affordable and efficient public transport.


52 | TOMORROW’S FM twitter.com/TomorrowsFM


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