HVAC Upgrades Not Enough: Schools Need Portable Air Purifiers In Each Classroom
Schools face significant healthy air challenges and need portable air purifiers during this second wave of Covid-19. New and/or improved HVAC systems—which many schools invested in over the summer—are not equipped to filter out the coronavirus. While certain HVAC systems may help with fresh air exchanges, they do not contain the HEPA and/or HEGA filtration of medical grade air purifiers, which capture viruses below the 0.125 micon level.
Imagine the coronavirus as a smoke cloud: like a ceiling fan, an HVAC system would eventually move the air enough to exchange it, but this process could take hours in a classroom setting. Portable air purifiers filters can turn over the air much faster. Portable air purifiers are a tangible way for parents, teachers and staff to have peace of mind in a school setting. Investing in this type of personal protective equipment (PPE) for students and staff signals administrator’s attention to expert opinions about how to keep building safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.
EPA: When used properly, air purifiers can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a home or confined space. Classrooms are confined spaces typically with insufficient fresh air exchanges making portable filtration a necessity.
The CDC confirms that airborne viruses may be able to infect people who are further than 6 feet away and recommends HEPA filters.
Harvard University’s TH Chan School of Public Health’s Healthy Buildings program issued a report in June 2020 indicating that portable air purifiers are one step to safely opening school doors. Joseph Allen, director of the program, “You can turn any building into a healthy building with just a little attention.†An August 19th 2020 Boston Globe article also cites how critical purified air is to reducing the transmission of Covid-19. Portable air purifiers are a simple, effective risk reduction strategy.
Additionally, portable air purifiers also reduce non-virus allergens and airborne particulate matter (PM) that cause people to sneeze/cough, thereby reducing virus transmission in the first place. Today's purifiers are quiet and do not disrupt learning. Most medical grade purifiers are plug and play ready right out of the box. We like purifiers that have extra carbon filtration. There is a type of carbon filtration called High Efficiency Gas Arrestance or HEGA that offers additional anti-microbial properties. Here's our screening criteria for selecting a medical grade purifier for a classroom:
- Ability to filter below the coronavirus level at 0.1micron, this is 3 x more efficient than traditional HEPA.
- Added HEGA carbon cloth for added reduction in chemicals, VOCs, formaldehyde and offers greater protection with anti-microbial properties.
- Long Filter Life. Select a purifier that can run non-stop for a year with out changing the filter.
- Durable. It's a classroom so expect some accidental kicks and spills.
- Zero Ozone. Ozone is very harmful, especially for asthmatics and children
- Made In USA: Quality counts on this one.
- Covers at least 700SF
- Available. Plan ahead for supply disruption and that your chosen manufacturer can deliver 500+ purifiers at a time if needed.
Studies have shown improved aptitude and decreased absenteeism with good indoor air quality. These same purifiers capable of filtering below the coronavirus can filter other viruses like the flu and harmful mold spores, allergens, chemicals, wildfire soot and more. Even with good air quality and beyond this pandemic IndoorDoctor recommends portable air purifiers in each classroom, office and common area. It's a no brainer!
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