Schools are generally considered a safe place for our children, but unfortunately there could be bigger health risks at school than we realise. We’re not talking about the odd graze or coughs and colds, but the long-term effects of exposure to air pollution.

A worrying number of schools in the UK are located in highly polluted areas and if the COVID-19 pandemic has done anything good, it has drawn attention to the air quality in our schools. You see, air pollution isn’t just exhaust fumes, it is made up of countless harmful particles, including viruses like COVID-19.

In a bid to identify where COVID-19 could spread easily, the Department for Education pledged 300,000 carbon dioxide monitors to state schools across England recently. High levels of carbon dioxide can indicate that a room is poorly ventilated and therefore any with high levels would be deemed to increase COVID-19 infectiousness.

Unfortunately, with our efforts to increase energy efficiency our buildings have become more airtight and therefore not conductive to natural ventilation – they can’t breathe. In older buildings without sophisticated ventilation systems the only option is to open windows or doors, but this is little use when outdoor air pollution levels are high. It is advised that schools introduce fresh air by opening the windows regularly between rush hour and school run times.

As much as we might not like it, COVID-19 has become something we have to live with and KSG Health can support the UK schools to improve air quality throughout the pandemic. Air purification devices such as Genano units can help to reduce harmful particulate matter such as PM2.5, VOCs, bacteria and viruses which in turn can slow the spread of COVID-19.

Genano devices kill nano-sized particles up to 0.003 µm (3nm) size from indoor air, including microbes, such as viruses, bacteria and moulds, as well as gases and odours and we have proven time and time again that our devices can eliminate harmful particles, including PM2.5 from indoor air by 99.999%.

Harmful airborne particles have no place in the classroom, and we have made it our mission to share our Genano technology and protect the health of future generations whilst they learn. If you would like to discuss how Genano devices can improve air quality and your school, get in touch!