VOC’s and air quality in schools.
Swapping out petrochemical cleaning products containing VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) can massively increase air quality in schools.
People with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be susceptible to upper respiratory symptoms, colds, and upper respiratory infections when exposed to elevated levels of certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Even for people without sensitive respiratory systems, common symptoms of VOC exposure are irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. The amount of time it takes to experience each side effect depends on the type of VOC you are exposed to. Some can have immediate effects while others are intermittent.
According to a study conducted by Harvard in 2015, which aimed to assess the impact of varying levels of air pollution and carbon dioxide on cognitive function, it was found that for every 500 μg/m3 increase in pollution, the average person is able to concentrate for 13 seconds less than if they were in a less polluted environment. Children are particularly vulnerable to poor Indoor Air Quality
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has actually acknowledged Indoor air quality is a serious problem, with some studies indicating that it's up to five times worse than outdoor air. This is due to a variety of sources, including building materials and procedures, ventilation, cleaning products, and in particular household chemicals.
Apparently around 42% of all pupils attend schools in areas that breach PM2.5 limits. Exposure to air pollution during the school day can lead to a significant reduction in cognitive performance and potentially sleeping difficulties. Furthermore, this can reduce the ability of pupils to focus and learn. Improving air quality has a huge impact on both.
Early indications from a case study carried out in a primary school seems to indicate that making small changes can have a large effect on the improvement in air quality. Improving air flow by opening windows and doors and exchanging conventional cleaning products for environmentally friendly ones can potentially reduce VOC levels by up to 50%.
I have been harping on about this kind thing for years and think we are finally about to see some big changes. I certainly hope so.
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