Something in the Air
How indoor air quality may be affecting student productivity
In today’s school systems, student productivity is both encouraged and strived for. As a general rule, the better the school’s environment in all aspects, the better the productivity of the students. One aspect not often addressed, however, is indoor air quality.
“Poor indoor air quality involves having components in the air that are found in higher concentrations than you would find in a healthy, outdoor air environment,” Science teacher Gretchen Hubinger said.
In general, the ventilation in Liberty North High School is far from atrocious. However, with the added construction of the building’s new wing this year, the smells of construction-related materials have at times permeated the air.
“It’s kind of inevitable, because they’re building on, but I don’t feel like I should be breathing it, I don’t feel like it’s good for me,” sophomore Gabby Saffier said.
Harsh chemicals aside, as they are not often the main complaint, carbon dioxide levels also play a role in affecting indoor air quality. In high concentrations, carbon dioxide causes drowsiness, lethargy, and headaches.
“Poor air quality can cause symptoms that hinder students’ ability to learn by causing headaches,” senior Stephanie Boan said.
The recommended amount for indoor CO2 levels is 1000 ppm (parts per million). In recent tests done by the Environmental Science classes, some parts of the school were found to have CO2 levels higher than 1000 ppm. One such room was Communication Arts teacher Kimberly Brownlee’s class.
“I was not surprised [by the results of the CO2 testing] because obviously when you have a closed room with 30 people breathing heavily, it’s going to raise levels. But it does change what I do; I try to leave the door open more, and when I can I open the windows to create more air flow,” Brownlee said.
Students who feel their productivity is affected by the air in the room should not worry; there are easy solutions to improve indoor air quality.
“Two major things [to improve indoor air quality]: try not to introduce elements indoors that produce pollutants, and improve ventilation,” Hubinger said.
