Simple actions can reduce air pollution in schools
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/simple-actions-can-reduce-air-pollution-in-schools/
Author: Erin Moody
The air in UK public schools doesn’t meet the safety standards issued by the World Health Organization. Air pollution has serious consequences, especially for developing children who spend 30 percent of their day in polluted schools. According to a new paper published in Atmospheric Environment, there are straightforward ways to remedy the situation. Scientists with the University of Surrey Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) explored three ways to reduce indoor air pollution in schools. They tested installing a green screen along the school’s perimeter and putting air purifiers in classrooms. The team also implemented a “school streets” initiative, which prevents cars from driving past schools at drop-off and pick-up times. The researchers found that all of these methods improved air quality. Air purifiers lead to a 57 percent decrease in indoor air pollution, and the school streets initiative reduced pollutants by 36 percent. In addition, green screens reduced outdoor contaminants by up to 44 percent.