Air Quality Matters
As modern educational institutions refine their standards, and upgrade to provide a conditioned atmosphere for the staff and students, the role of indoor air quality becomes extremely crucial in shaping the learning environment within these institutions. The quality of the air that students and staff breathe can significantly impact their health, wellbeing, and academic performance. Poor ventilation systems in schools and universities can lead to a range of health implications, from respiratory issues to cognitive effects that hinder learning and productivity. With air pollution on the rise, the quality of air that we breathe becomes extremely dear to us. Breathing fresh air is extremely important in educational institutions as proper ventilation and air quality affects the cognitive and learning abilities of the staff and students.
Good indoor air quality reduces the growth of germs and bacteria in the air, making the environment more hygienic for the students. Poor air quality in a classroom can lead to rise in CO2 levels, rise in particulate matter, and rise in mold and fungus. All this makes a classroom feel very stuffy and damp, hence deteriorating the comfort of the staff and students. This discomfort makes both the staff and students less attentive, hence affecting their learning capabilities. At the same time, the rise in CO2 causes students to feel drowsy, hence causing many students to snooze in the classrooms.
Modern schools involve various activities like science experiments, art, indoor games, cleaning, cooking, etc. All these activities emit VOCs and CO2 in the atmosphere, which can cause the space to feel stuffy and damp if not properly ventilated. With many activities happening simultaneously, proper ventilation systems have to be incorporated to avoid any damage to the health of the staff and students.
Poor Ventilation has a serious effect on health. The effects can come extremely late under constant exposure to poor ventilation, hence most of us tend to ignore it. Hence we call Ventilation as the ignored element. Exposure to poor ventilation can cause respiratory effects like coughing, sneezing, blocked nose, bacterial infections, etc. Although these effects seem normal, the long term effects can also lead to asthma.
Another effect of exposure to poor ventilation is impaired cognitive function. Indoor air pollution can impair cognitive function, decrease concentration levels, and reduce productivity. All this is very important for a student for academic success Investing in incorporating good ventilation systems that improve indoor air quality, can greatly benefit educational institutions in providing the best possible atmosphere for their staff and students to perform.
Good indoor air quality reduces the CO2, particulate matter, mold, fungus, VOCs, etc in a space. This makes the atmosphere extremely beneficial for students to learn as good air quality increases cognitive function, and reduces the chances of respiratory illnesses. With air pollution on the rise, the importance of good indoor quality comes at the top for our government. Specific ventilation guidelines are in place for educational institutions to adopt to create a conducive environment indoors. And as the days go by, more and more educational institutions are placing heavy weightage on good ventilation practices in order to maintain good indoor air quality.
There are many ways a school or university can implement ventilation.
Supply Ventilation: This type of ventilation involves filling the space with fresh filtered area, thereby creating positive pressure. The assumption here is that air will circulate from cracks and door undercuts. Some examples of supply ventilation are Treated Fresh Air systems, Filtered Fresh air Fans, etc.
Extract Ventilation: This type of ventilation is the exact opposite of supply ventilation. This method involves creating negative pressure in the space mechanically, and creating louvers on doors and windows to allow positive air to naturally get attracted to the negative pressure generated, thus creating air circulation. This method involves using exhaust systems to generate negative pressure.
Balanced Ventilation with Energy Recovery: This type of ventilation involves mechanically supplying fresh air and extracting equal amounts of stale air at the same time, thereby creating a balanced atmosphere. At the same time this unit recovers the energy of the indoor air and transfers it to the air that is being supplied, thereby reducing the load on air conditioning systems. With modern structures becoming more and more tight, this system creates the best atmosphere in space.
Investing in ventilation upgrades for educational buildings not only benefits the health and well-being of students and staff but also brings long-term academic benefits. Improved air quality can lead to better concentration, productivity, and overall performance, making it a worthwhile investment with a valuable return on investment in the long run.
In conclusion, prioritizing ventilation systems in educational institutions is not just a matter of compliance with regulations but a fundamental investment in the health, wellbeing, and academic success of students and staff. By recognizing the impact of indoor air quality on learning environments and implementing effective strategies to enhance ventilation systems, schools and universities can create safer, healthier, and more productive spaces for all. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining optimal air quality in educational buildings is essential for fostering a conducive atmosphere for teaching, learning, and overall well-being.
About the Author -
Rajesh Sachdev - CEO, Blutherm
