FUTURES EXPO SERIES
Clean air schools
Creating healthier schools for our children and cleaner communities for all Australians
Research project
Air quality in schools was identified as a public health priority in a report requested by the European Commission over 20 years ago . Despite this concern , little action was taken in the following two decades . Over the last few years , when classrooms were increasingly recognised as hotspots for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 , renewed interest and resources have been made available in response to the issue . However , questions remain as to the best way to achieve safer classroom air .
> International recognition via an award from Clean Air Society Australia and New Zealand for Innovation 2022 .
> Project scale-up plans include deploying HEPA filtration more widely across the NSW school system and integrating live indoor air quality tracking for real-time feedback and action .
Clean Air Schools is the largest network of paired indoor / outdoor sensors in Australia with 100 schools engaged . The portable sensors are either powered by solar panels for outdoor use or plugged into existing electricity outlets for indoor use . The air quality sensors and associated weather stations use calibrated sensors to provide data at 5-minute intervals that measure particulate matter 2.5 ( PM2.5 ), nitrogen dioxide ( NO2 ), carbon dioxide ( CO2 ), temperature and relative humidity .
Clean Air Schools provides vital research data about how to improve indoor air quality for health and learning benefits .
8 •