As schools reopen for a new academic year, one often overlooked factor that plays a crucial role in students' health, performance, and overall well-being is the air they breathe. Indoor air quality (IAQ) in classrooms impacts more than just comfort—it can directly influence student absenteeism, concentration, and cognitive function. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), poor indoor air quality can lead to serious respiratory issues, with children being especially vulnerable due to their developing lungs and higher breathing rates. In colder months, when natural ventilation is limited, maintaining clean air becomes even more challenging.
This year, as schools continue to prioritize health and safety in light of lingering viral concerns, teachers and staff are on the front lines of managing classroom environments. While upgrading HVAC systems and installing air purification technology may be on the long-term agenda, there are immediate, simple steps that can have a significant impact on classroom air quality. By adopting these easy, actionable strategies, educators can ensure that their students learn and grow in a healthy space all year long—especially when colder weather forces more time indoors.
Here are five practical tips that teachers and school staff can easily implement to improve air quality and create a healthier learning environment.
1. Open Windows for Fresh Air (Even in Short Bursts)
As temperatures drop, it’s common for classrooms to be closed up tightly, reducing the flow of fresh air. However, fresh outdoor air is vital to diluting indoor pollutants, like carbon dioxide (CO2), dust, and allergens, all of which can build up quickly in a crowded space. Even a few minutes of ventilation can refresh the air and improve the room’s overall air quality.
Tip: Try cracking windows open during class breaks, lunchtime, or after school for 5–10 minutes. When paired with your classroom’s HVAC system, this can help flush out stagnant air and introduce fresh oxygen into the room without losing too much heat.
Why it matters: According to the EPA, classrooms with good ventilation see reduced incidences of headaches, fatigue, and respiratory issues. Regular air exchange also helps remove viruses and allergens, making it especially important during cold and flu season when illnesses spread rapidly through schools.
While many schools are upgrading their HVAC systems to increase ventilation, teachers can make a difference by using windows strategically to complement these systems.
2. Move Classes Outdoors When Possible
A classroom isn’t always defined by four walls. Outdoor learning not only provides students with a change of scenery but also drastically improves their exposure to fresh air and sunlight—two natural defenses against poor indoor air quality. Outdoor lessons are especially beneficial during the fall and early winter before temperatures become too harsh.
Tip: Plan outdoor activities such as reading time, group discussions, or even art projects. Outdoor spaces like courtyards, playgrounds, and gardens can serve as temporary classrooms for a variety of lessons.
Why it matters: Research published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives shows that outdoor air is generally much cleaner than indoor air, particularly in urban environments. Being outside also reduces exposure to indoor allergens, VOCs, and carbon dioxide buildup that can accumulate in closed spaces over time.
Furthermore, studies have shown that outdoor learning helps increase engagement and can have cognitive benefits, improving focus and creativity among students.
3. Declutter Classrooms to Minimize Dust and Allergens
Dust mites, mold spores, and other allergens thrive in cluttered environments, which is why maintaining an organized, tidy classroom is crucial for good IAQ. When books, papers, and materials pile up, they can trap dust and prevent proper air circulation, creating a breeding ground for allergens that affect students with respiratory issues or allergies.
Tip: Regularly clean and declutter shelves, window sills, and desks. Encourage students to help by keeping their personal areas tidy, and store rarely used items in sealed containers to limit dust accumulation.
Why it matters: Clean, well-organized classrooms reduce the number of airborne particles and allergens, which can significantly improve students' breathing comfort. According to the American Lung Association, minimizing exposure to dust and mold is especially important for children with asthma, which affects about 6 million children in the U.S.
A clean space not only helps with IAQ but also promotes better concentration and productivity, creating an overall more efficient learning environment.
4. Use Portable Air Purifiers in Key Areas
Not every classroom is equipped with state-of-the-art air filtration systems, but portable air purifiers provide a simple and effective way to ensure cleaner air. Modern air purifiers with HEPA filters are designed to capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and even airborne viruses. For older classrooms with limited ventilation or those in high-traffic areas, air purifiers can make a noticeable difference.
Tip: Place a portable air purifier in the classroom's busiest areas—like near the door or at the center of the room. Look for purifiers with HEPA filters, which are particularly effective at removing particles that could otherwise circulate for hours.
Why it matters: According to the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers), using air purifiers is a proven method of improving air quality in enclosed spaces, especially during times when HVAC systems may not be sufficient to remove all contaminants.
Even a single purifier can help keep the air cleaner and healthier, especially during the colder months when windows remain closed and natural airflow is limited.
5. Promote Hygiene and Clean Air Practices
Good air quality goes hand in hand with classroom cleanliness. Encouraging students to practice proper hygiene is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs and reduce airborne contaminants.
Tip: Place hand sanitizers and tissues in convenient areas around the classroom and encourage students to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing. Additionally, consider teaching students about the importance of IAQ and how simple actions like keeping their desks clean can help maintain it.
Why it matters: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the link between proper hygiene and reduced airborne viral transmission. In a classroom setting, where students are often in close contact, maintaining good hygiene helps protect both air quality and overall health.
By teaching students the value of these practices, educators can create a cleaner, healthier classroom environment that benefits everyone.
Embracing Cleaner Air for Better Learning
The importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) in classrooms cannot be overstated. As students spend an average of 1,000 hours per year in school, the quality of the air they breathe can significantly impact their health, cognitive abilities, and overall well-being. Poor IAQ has been linked to a range of health issues, including asthma, respiratory infections, and allergies—conditions that can lead to increased absenteeism and lower academic performance. Research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that poor indoor air quality, particularly high levels of CO2, can negatively affect cognitive function and decision-making abilities, which are critical for learning and concentration.
As we head into the colder months, when windows are often sealed and ventilation is reduced, maintaining clean, healthy air in classrooms becomes more challenging yet more important. Studies show that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, with contaminants like dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mold spores, and even airborne viruses accumulating in closed spaces. This makes it essential for schools to adopt strategies that ensure good air quality even when natural ventilation is limited.
The Connection Between Air Quality and Academic Performance
Air quality in classrooms has a direct impact on student performance. Research published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives indicates that improved IAQ can enhance cognitive functions related to problem-solving, memory, and concentration. In schools with better ventilation, students have been shown to score 5-10% higher on standardized tests. Additionally, a study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that improving IAQ could reduce absenteeism by as much as 2-3%, which is particularly important during cold and flu season when respiratory illnesses are more common.
Ventilation plays a critical role in reducing the concentration of indoor pollutants, especially during colder months. Stale air leads to a buildup of CO2 and other harmful substances, which not only affect health but also contribute to fatigue and inattentiveness in students. According to the EPA, classrooms with high CO2 levels above 1,000 parts per million (ppm) experience a significant drop in attention span and decision-making capacity among students. This makes it crucial to refresh the air through simple steps like opening windows or using air purifiers, even for short bursts of time.
Reducing Airborne Illnesses with Better IAQ
Indoor air quality also influences the spread of airborne illnesses, such as the flu, colds, and other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. During colder months, when students and staff spend more time indoors in close quarters, the likelihood of transmission increases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that proper ventilation is a key preventive measure against airborne transmission of viruses. By ensuring a constant flow of fresh air and using high-efficiency filters like HEPA, schools can significantly reduce the spread of airborne pathogens.
Long-Term Benefits of Decluttering and Hygienic Practices
Maintaining a clean, clutter-free classroom is more than just an aesthetic choice—it directly impacts IAQ. Dust, dander, and mold spores accumulate on surfaces and in corners, leading to poor air quality that can trigger allergic reactions or asthma attacks in students. Regular cleaning and organization help reduce these pollutants, contributing to better air circulation and fewer airborne irritants. According to the American Lung Association, children with asthma are particularly vulnerable to poor indoor air quality, and classrooms with excessive dust and allergens can exacerbate their condition, leading to more frequent asthma attacks and hospital visits.
Promoting hygiene, such as encouraging handwashing, covering coughs, and keeping surfaces sanitized, also plays a crucial role in maintaining clean air. Hygienic practices help reduce the spread of germs and contaminants that can become airborne. A 2013 study published in the journal Pediatrics found that improved hygiene and handwashing practices in schools led to a 31% reduction in respiratory illnesses among students, highlighting the connection between hygiene and air quality.
A Sustainable Approach to Healthier Classrooms
By taking simple steps—opening windows, decluttering, using air purifiers, and promoting good hygiene—teachers and staff can have a substantial impact on indoor air quality. These efforts are not just short-term fixes; they lay the groundwork for long-term health benefits for students and staff alike. Healthier students are more engaged, more focused, and less likely to miss school due to illness, leading to better academic outcomes over time.
Additionally, improving IAQ aligns with broader sustainability goals. Reducing the use of chemical cleaners and VOC-emitting materials in classrooms and opting for greener alternatives can reduce overall pollution levels and promote a more sustainable learning environment. Schools that prioritize IAQ are investing not only in the health of their students but also in the future of education, creating environments where students can thrive both academically and physically.
Ultimately, cleaner air means better learning, healthier students, and a brighter future.
