By Heather Barker Vermeer Industry Reporter
Effective ventilation has never been more of a necessity in schools. While it is widely known that crowded, poorly aired classrooms are a breeding ground for germs that can cause many common illnesses, the advent of the soeasily transmissible Delta and Omicron variant of COVID-19 added a new layer of seriousness to the ventilate debate. Schools quickly became a common sight on contact tracing lists around the world where these variants have dominated. In Aotearoa, children (0-19 years) in the 2021-22 Delta outbreak represented the largest proportion of COVID-19 cases at 37 percent. Large outbreaks have affected school communities, with the Marist College cluster generating 96 cases. Now, more than ever, to safeguard the health of your students and staff schools must pay strict attention to the air quality indoors. “School aged children have greater susceptibility to some environmental pollutants than adults because they breathe higher volumes of air relative to their body weight, and their body tissue and organs are actively growing,” according to a recent research paper from the Ministry of Health titled, “Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort”. “Children also spend more time in school than in any other environment except home. Indoor air quality is dependent on the concentrations of CO2 and other respiration derived pollutants, volatile organic compounds (VOC), particulate matter and other pollutants such as formaldehyde.” Levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) rise as people breathe, where spaces are poorly ventilated, and research has linked CO2 levels to educational outcomes. ‘Indoor air quality and thermal comfort have a direct impact on the usability of the space and on learning outcomes.’ Prolonged exposure to poor air quality, wherein the CO2 levels exceed these levels can result in headaches, poor concentration, restlessness, nausea and sleepiness. Term 1, 2022 | schoolnews.co.nz
HEALTH & SAFETY
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