.

Past to Present

Children in England learn about Florence Nightingale during primary school, often remembering her as "The Lady with the Lamp" who transformed nursing and advocated for clean air and healthy buildings.

Florence understood that people quickly become accustomed to stale air and cannot reliably judge air quality with their senses alone. To address this, she championed the use of an "air-test" developed by Dr Angus Smith, believing that a simple air quality monitor should become as commonplace as a thermometer in hospitals, nurseries, schools, and homes.

Her vision was remarkably modern. Today's carbon dioxide and indoor air quality monitors serve the same purpose she envisioned, providing objective evidence of air quality rather than relying on perception alone.

Florence was particularly concerned about schools. Reflecting on overcrowded classrooms, she wrote:

"And oh, the crowded national school! Where so many children's epidemics have their origin, what a tale its air-test would tell!"

She imagined parents using air quality measurements and declaring:

"I will not send my child to that school, the air-test stands at 'Horrid."

More than 160 years ago, Florence recognised that crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces could contribute to the spread of illness. Clean air, good ventilation, and objective monitoring are essential for creating healthy learning environments and protecting the wellbeing of children and staff.

Monitoring Today

Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors have been installed inside schools for decades. In recent years, technology has evolved, bringing low-cost air quality monitors to the general public. These monitors can provide an immediate and simple way to determine levels of some air pollutants and, by doing so, guide action.

"By making the invisible world of indoor air visible, air quality monitoring solutions give us the power to understand our spaces. This insight unlocks adaptive ventilation, providing fresh air when needed and cutting energy waste".

Sotirios Papathanasiou
Safe Air Schools' air quality expert. Founder of GO AQS. Speaker at The United Nations in New York, Healthy Indoor Air, A Global Call to Action (2025)

Monitoring Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a natural gas that we breathe out every time we exhale. Because people constantly release CO₂ into the air, CO₂ can be used as a simple indicator of how well a room is ventilated. The higher the CO₂ level, the more "shared air" is being re-breathed.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department for Education (DfE) provided CO₂ monitors to schools across England and advised that they should be used regularly to identify spaces where ventilation could be improved. However, schools are not required to record or share the data, and many have received limited training in using the monitors effectively. Of those surveyed, most schools admitted to no longer using them.

CO₂ is measured in parts per million (ppm). Outdoor air typically contains around 415 ppm of CO₂. In well-ventilated classrooms, indoor levels should remain low. The DfE states that 800 ppm is good. When CO₂ levels rise beyond 800 ppm in a naturally ventilated classroom, ventilation is inadequate. As levels rise above 1000 ppm, a significant proportion of the air has already been exhaled by others.

This matters because if someone in the room has an airborne infection, poorly ventilated spaces can allow virus particles to build up in the air, increasing the risk of transmission. For this reason, experts recommend aiming for CO₂ levels below 800 ppm in naturally ventilated classrooms.

"CO2 levels will be constantly changing so you should check the monitor regularly".

- Department for Education

Every classroom should have a CO₂ monitor on display to track ventilation levels in real time. Natural ventilation through open windows can vary greatly with weather conditions and tends to be more effective when the outdoor air is colder. In winter, for example, a classroom may be well ventilated without fully opening all windows, or simply by refreshing the air for a few minutes every half hour. CO₂ monitors can help strike a balance between maintaining comfort and managing heating costs while ensuring good air quality.

CO2 monitors should be placed:

At head height when seated
Away from ventilation outlets, such as grilles or windows
At least 0.5 m away from occupants (closer than this could give inaccurate readings).

HOW TO USE A CO2 MONITOR

Monitoring Air Quality

There is limited information on the accuracy of some low-cost air quality monitors in detecting indoor pollutants. Models differ in size, intended use (indoor or outdoor), and the specific contaminants they are designed to measure. Many devices provide unreliable or even inaccurate readings, particularly for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as chemical vapours and formaldehyde. It is therefore important to research products carefully before purchasing. The guide by HouseFresh is an excellent place to begin.

School Ventilation Guidelines

Schools have a responsibility to provide a healthy learning environment for pupils and staff. Ventilation and indoor air quality are important parts of this responsibility, helping to reduce the build-up of carbon dioxide (CO₂), airborne pollutants and infectious particles.

Although the Department for Education (DfE) has published guidance on ventilation and indoor air quality, there is currently no requirement for schools to routinely monitor classroom CO₂ levels, record the results or demonstrate that classrooms are consistently meeting recommended ventilation standards.

Latest Department for Education Update

The Department for Education has recently introduced new design standards for new school buildings. These standards include requirements for ventilation and indoor air quality and reflect current engineering practice.

However, the DfE has also confirmed that it has no current plans to update Building Bulletin 101 (BB101), the non-statutory guidance covering ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in schools.

This means that while new schools are being designed to improved standards, the majority of pupils and staff remain in existing school buildings where ventilation guidance has not been updated.

Current CO₂ Guidance

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is widely used as an indicator of how effectively a space is ventilated.

Current DfE guidance states that:

Mechanically ventilated classrooms should achieve a daily average CO₂ concentration below 1,000 ppm.
Naturally ventilated classrooms should achieve a daily average CO₂ concentration below 1,500 ppm.
In naturally ventilated classrooms, CO₂ concentrations should not exceed 2,000 ppm for more than 20 consecutive minutes each day when occupancy is at or below the room’s design capacity.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises that CO₂ levels consistently above 1,500 ppm indicate poor ventilation and that action should be taken to improve air exchange.

Higher CO₂ levels are also associated with increased feelings of tiredness, headaches and reduced concentration, which may affect the learning environment.

Why CO₂ Levels Matter

CO₂ itself is not harmful at the concentrations normally found in classrooms. However, it provides a useful indication of how much exhaled air is accumulating indoors.

A classroom averaging 1,500 ppm CO₂ contains a greater proportion of rebreathed air than a classroom maintained closer to 800 ppm. If an infectious person is present, poorer ventilation can allow virus-containing particles from breathing, speaking or coughing to remain in the air for longer.

Improving ventilation helps dilute and remove these particles, reducing the risk of airborne infections such as COVID-19, influenza and RSV spreading within classrooms.

Recommended Indoor Air Quality Targets

Many organisations now recommend lower CO₂ levels than those permitted by current DfE guidance:

The British Council for Offices (BCO) recommends a target of 800 ppm.
The Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA) recommends maintaining indoor CO₂ levels around 600–800 ppm.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has advised keeping CO₂ concentrations below 800 ppm wherever possible.

These recommendations reflect growing recognition that good indoor air quality supports health, concentration and wellbeing.

Learning from Ireland

Ireland has taken a stronger approach to indoor air quality. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has introduced a Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality, providing a formal framework for managing air quality in workplaces and educational settings.

The Code includes a benchmark of 1,000 ppm CO₂ and provides practical guidance on monitoring indoor air quality and taking action where ventilation is insufficient. Where natural ventilation cannot achieve suitable air quality, additional measures such as mechanical ventilation or air cleaning may be required.

Ireland’s approach demonstrates the value of clear standards, monitoring and practical guidance for improving indoor environments.

A Consistent Approach to Health Protection

The Department for Education has recently introduced statutory guidance on allergy safety in schools, recognising the need for clear procedures to protect pupils with serious allergies.

This demonstrates that where there is a recognised risk to children's health, the Government can introduce clear expectations for schools.

Ventilation and indoor air quality remain different issues, but they raise a similar question: how do we ensure that schools have the information, guidance and support needed to protect pupils and staff?

At present, indoor air quality remains largely dependent on individual schools taking action. There is no requirement for routine classroom CO₂ monitoring or reporting.

What Needs to Change

The improvements to ventilation standards for new school buildings are welcome, but they do not address the needs of pupils and staff in existing schools.

We believe the UK should:

Update BB101 to reflect current scientific evidence and best practice.
Introduce continuous air quality monitoring in classrooms.
Establish clear, health-based indoor air quality targets for all schools.
Provide support for schools to improve ventilation through natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation or air cleaning where appropriate.
Ensure indoor air quality receives the same level of attention as other important aspects of pupil health and safety.

Every child and every member of staff deserves to learn and work in a classroom with healthy indoor air.