Indoor air quality is of critical importance in schools, where it’s not uncommon to have upwards of thirty or so students per classroom. While combustion engines and other industrial processes are responsible for a rise in man-made carbon dioxide (CO₂), the most common source of indoor CO₂ is people. Here, we’ll look at the effect that excess CO₂ exposure can have on students and why CO₂ monitors in schools, combined with proper ventilation are essential to helping the next generation of thinkers and learners thrive.

Numerous reports have linked overexposure to CO₂ in schools with drowsiness, possible headaches, and an overall dip in productivity and focus. The greater the number of occupants in a space, the higher the concentration and the larger the potential risk. Excess CO₂ levels in schools can cause students to underachieve and progress through the curriculum at a far slower rate. By monitoring CO₂ exposure in schools, and not allowing levels to rise beyond safe thresholds, governments and educational institutions can provide tomorrow’s leaders with a safer learning environment and a better platform for achievement. Making this a reality starts with real-time monitoring, measuring air quality throughout the school to assess risk and lobby for improvements.

Monitoring CO₂ in schools is only the first step to improving classroom air quality. Ideally, CO₂ monitors will help identify airflow “hot spots” where more ventilation is needed. You could place portable monitors in areas where airflow appears weakest to determine where problems lie. Improved ventilation will do more than lower CO₂ levels. Ventilation is also a key factor in creating COVID-safe classrooms and protecting against other airborne pollutants. Well-ventilated environments ensure students can breathe good quality air that improves their well-being and concentration. This goes beyond simply “opening a window,” which can be impractical in some seasons and tends to address the symptom without tackling the real issue. Moving forward, a push is needed towards modifying and building “greener” classrooms, with healthy ventilation and air quality monitoring embedded in the overall design.

Improving access to affordable real-time monitoring systems will help ensure schools can keep tabs on air quality. This could happen through government subsidies or green initiatives at the local government level. With a focus on ventilation and regular testing, students can receive an education without the disruptions caused by poor indoor air. Air quality data can also be used to determine whether buildings are performing as intended, creating a powerful tool for change. By analyzing trends and deepening our understanding of CO₂ levels in schools, city planners, architects, and ventilation designers will be able to craft solutions and environments that maximize well-being and performance.

Aeroqual offers a range of solutions geared toward air pollution monitoring in schools, including portable monitors, and indoor and outdoor air quality testing kits. Protect the health and well-being of your classroom with a handheld monitor from our S Series range – enabling accurate real-time measurement of CO₂ and other common pollutants in a highly portable device. These monitors are perfect for spot checks of pollution hot spots, both inside and outside the classroom. The Aeroqual school air quality testing kit can be used as an educational in addition to providing accurate air quality measurements. Swappable sensor head technology allows you to easily switch from measuring CO₂ levels to other airborne pollutants, such as NO₂ or O₃.

If you have any questions about our CO₂ monitors for schools, any of our other products, or air quality in general, please get in touch!