Improving Classroom Air Quality in Schools: Field Study of Air Filtration, Ventilation, Monitoring, and Implications for Energy Performance
TANYA SHIRMAN, Sissi Liu, VP of Materials
Abstract Number: 77
Working Group: Reducing Aerosol Exposure with Control Technologies and Interventions
Abstract
Reducing aerosol exposure in school environments is essential for protecting student health and supporting cognitive development. In schools where students spend long hours indoors, exposure to particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been linked to cognitive impairment, increased disease transmission, and higher absenteeism. This field study evaluated air quality control intervention methods via HVAC ventilation versus distributed, localized air filtration. It also assessed monitoring strategies for improving indoor air quality (IAQ) in occupied middle school classrooms. Environmental quality sensors for continuous data collection were deployed to monitor PM and VOC levels alongside reference-grade particle measurement instruments under real-world conditions.
A distributed, localized, and low-maintenance air filtration system was installed and tested for its ability to reduce aerosol concentrations in comparison with the standard HVAC ventilation-based air quality maintenance strategy.
Our results underscore the limitations of the current, dominant IAQ intervention approach that rely primarily on outdoor air ventilation—a strategy that is both energy intensive and potentially detrimental during wildfire events or in areas with poor ambient air quality. The tested air filtration system provided consistent reductions in indoor aerosol levels with minimal energy use. Additionally, we identified key challenges in interpreting environmental sensor data and highlight the need for practical solutions for calibration and analysis to improve deployment in school settings.
This study demonstrates that integrating targeted filtration-based interventions with improved sensor analytics offers a sustainable, scalable pathway to reduce aerosol exposure and protect occupant health in educational environments.