As the CDC publishes it guidance on the safe reopening of schools, it is clear that increased ventilation and HEPA filtration have a major role to play.
The classroom is a high risk environment
Schools are the perfect environment for airborne viruses to spread. Large groups of people remain indoors for prolonged periods of time, often in small spaces with little or no ventilation. We know from experience that the cold and flu viruses can infect a whole classroom in a very short period of time. And as there is evidence to suggest Covid-19 is more infectious than influenza, it is fair to assume a classroom of children can contract the virus very quickly, if safety measures are not put in place.
HEPA reduces the number of particles by 90%
A brand-new study from a team at Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, examined the role of HEPA air filtration in classrooms, as a way to keep students and teachers safe. After just 30 minutes, particle levels were reduced by 90% in the classroom with HEPA air purifiers. They went on to measure the extent to which this reduces the risk of infection from Covid-19. According to their calculations, using a HEPA air purifier in the same classroom as an infectious person, will reduce the risk of an ‘inhaled dose’ by six.
Clean air helps to boost performance
Right now, Covid-19 is our main concern. But it’s worth remembering that there are other benefits to keeping the classroom pollutant free.
In January 2016, a number of air purifiers were installed in classrooms, close to the site of the Aliso Canyon gas leak in California. The aim was to clean up the air after the disaster. However, by the time the air purifiers arrived, the extra pollution from the gas leak had already disappeared. Despite this, the air purifiers were installed, with the aim of removing the everyday pollutants found in schools. Within just a few months of installation, children’s test results in Math and English improved significantly, in the same way they would if class sizes were reduced by a third.
HEPA air filtration has a major part to play
Covid-19 is still a relatively new virus, there is no doubt we still have much to learn*. But the science is clear, using HEPA air filtration in classrooms, will help to lower the risk of contracting the virus and help children perform to the best of their ability. Does your school have questions regarding how many air changes per hour are needed? Call our experts today at (800) 724-8403 to discuss.
When clean air is critical, the experts choose Austin Air
Over the last thirty years, we have worked with the US Government, FEMA and the American Red Cross during some of America’s most challenging environmental emergencies, including 9-11, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, the 2015 SoCal gas leak and in recent years, as we experienced the worst wildfires on record.
As the Covid-19 health crisis continues, we have shipped thousands of HEPA air purifiers to schools, helping to keep staff and children safe.
HOW OUR AIR PURIFIERS WORK
The superior performance of the Austin Air Purifier begins as air is drawn into the unit via the 360-degree air intake system. Contaminants are captured using the most proven, powerful filtration available: Medical Grade HEPA and activated carbon. The clean, filtered air is then pushed back into the room via a directional export vent. This guarantees the entire room is free from pollutants, not just the air directly around the unit.
We’re here to help!
Here at Austin Air we are fully committed to keeping your teachers and students safe. As part of this commitment, we’re offering all schools significant discounts on volume orders of 32 units or more. To place your order, call one of the team today on (800) 724-8403. We’d love to hear from you.
*Covid-19 is a new strain of virus that as yet, remains untested. However, the Medical Grade HEPA technology used in our filters is proven to remove up to 95% of all airborne contaminants as small as 0.1 microns.