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Classroom Air Quality
The importance of clean indoor air is not a new concept. More than 160 years ago, Florence Nightingale recognised that ventilation and fresh air were fundamental to health and recovery. Most children in England learn about Florence Nightingale during primary school, often remembering her as "The Lady with the Lamp" who transformed nursing during the Crimean War.
In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought renewed attention to indoor air quality and the role that ventilation and air cleaning play in reducing the spread of airborne diseases. This renewed focus has driven a growing movement to improve indoor air quality in schools and other public buildings. Supported by advances in scientific understanding, the clean air movement is helping to ensure that everyone has access to healthier indoor spaces where they can learn, work, and thrive.
Why Indoor Air Matters
Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of the air inside buildings and how it affects the health, comfort, and wellbeing of the people who occupy them. In schools, evidence shows good indoor air quality is essential for creating healthy learning environments where children and staff can thrive.
Air pollution occurs when harmful substances contaminate the air we breathe. These pollutants can have far-reaching effects on human health, ecosystems, and the climate. Research shows that air pollution can affect every organ in the body and is recognised as the leading environmental health risk for children. Because children's lungs, immune systems, and other organs are still developing, they are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of polluted air.
Other groups at increased risk include pregnant women, people with allergies, those living with heart or respiratory conditions such as asthma, and individuals with weakened immune systems due to illness or medical treatment.
While outdoor air pollution often receives significant attention, we spend around 90% of our time indoors. As a result, indoor air quality can have a profound impact on our daily exposure to pollutants. Ignoring indoor air quality means overlooking the environments where people spend most of their time breathing.
