When we talk about indoor air quality, the conversation is usually led by scientists, engineers or policy makers. Sometimes, though, the most compelling research comes from the people breathing that air every day. Róise, a 16-year-old secondary school student, is one of them.
Róise took part in Sci-Fest, a second-level STEM fair in Ireland, with a project inspired by Scoil Noamh Bríd in Muff, Donegal, and supported by Dr Ciara Steele. Her research explored the effects of poor air quality in primary school classrooms, and the role air purifiers can play in creating a healthier learning environment.
To build her understanding, Róise drew on Smart Air resources alongside trusted public health information, learning about common air pollutants, how purifiers are made, and how indoor air quality affects health. She then put that knowledge to work in the classroom itself.
Before any air purifiers were switched on, Róise measured tVOC, PM2.5 and CO2 levels in the classroom. Her findings showed that classroom air quality can often be worse than many people expect and highlighted just how much these pollutants can affect indoor environments.
That matters because the consequences are not abstract. Poor air quality can lead to tiredness, headaches and reduced concentration, along with longer-term health concerns for both students and teachers.
As a secondary school student, Róise feels clean air is especially important because students spend so much time indoors, often for several hours at a stretch. She also pointed out that primary school pupils are in the same classroom for even longer periods, making good air quality even more important for their comfort, focus and future health.
“From personal experience I know how unpleasant it is to go into a classroom where it is so stuffy it feels like you can’t breathe in properly,” Róise said. “It is so important for us to be breathing in clean air for our future health and to prevent lung diseases as much as possible.”
It is a perspective worth listening to. The people most affected by classroom air are the ones sitting in it, and Róise's project shows what happens when students are given the tools to investigate it for themselves.
Róise's message to other students, schools and communities is simple. Start researching and act. The more people understand what is in the air around them, the sooner they can make improvements. With a wide range of monitors and purifiers now available, she believes there is a solution for every space.
We could not agree more. Whether you are a student with a science fair idea, a teacher curious about your classroom, or a school leader weighing up your options, understanding your air is the first step.
Want to know what is in your classroom air? Get in touch with our team at [email protected] or explore our open-source resources to start measuring for yourself.
