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SHARED SPACES and SCHOOLS: The ABCs of IAQ - Why IAQ matters in Schools.

Articles INDOOR AIR QUALITY
22.09.2023
SHARED SPACES and SCHOOLS: The ABCs of IAQ - Why IAQ matters in Schools. - Light Progress

(2 minutes read. Download complete article: DOWNLOAD PDF)

THE BENEFITS OF IAQ FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND SCHOOL BUDGETS
Schools are places where students and staff spend a significant amount of time, typically more than six hours a day. Therefore, the quality of indoor air has a direct impact on their overall well-being and learning and performance outcomes.
Poor IAQ in schools can cause or exacerbate several health problems, including asthma, allergies, respiratory infections, headaches, fatigue, nausea, and eye, nose and throat irritation.

These health effects can lead to increased absenteeism, decreased concentration and productivity, lower test scores, and higher medical costs.

Poor IAQ can also lead to higher operating costs and even damage to school buildings and equipment, resulting in higher maintenance and repair costs.



But until recently, it wasn't even clear to school officials how clean the air in school buildings should be, and we were asking school districts and facilities to make decisions and investments they didn't really understand.
Several guidelines make it clear that in order to mitigate "infected" indoor air, we need to have a significant outdoor air exchange or equivalent air exchange (eACH) per hour.
The latest standard recommends that classrooms get at least 6 ACH, or six air changes - the equivalent of replacing all the air in a room - per hour.



A major study underscores that the probability of infection from spending 6 hours in a classroom is higher than being hospitalized for 24 hours, yet there is no clear understanding of the risk of sending students to school without a specific, structured strategy to protect them from this threat.

Download our UV FACTS Document to learn why you should monitor CO2, analyze your building ventilation system, and understand how to improve IAQ without spending more money, the smart way.

F.A.Q.

Ultraviolet rays are electromagnetic waves which are part of light. Electromagnetic waves are divided into three main wavelength bands, expressed in nanometers, nm: Ultraviolet rays (UV) 100-400 nm Visible rays (light) 400-700 nm Infrared rays (IR) 700-800,000 nm UV rays are in turn identified in three bands:

  • UV-A (315-400 nm) with tanning properties;
  • UV-B (280-315 nm) con proprietà terapeutiche e di sintesi della vitamina "D";
  • UV-C (100-280 nm) with germicidal properties.

UV-C rays (100-280 nm) have a strong germicidal effect and reach their maximum efficacy at the 265 nm wavelength. The germicidal effect of UV-C radiation covers bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, moulds and mites; this is mainly due to the destructive effect of the UV-C rays on their DNA, which damage their reproductive system and prevent them from replicating.

Bacteria, Viruses, Spores, Fungi, Mould, and Mites are all sensitive to, and can therefore be eliminated with, UV-C light. Mircrobes cannot acquire resistance to UV-C light, unlike that which occurs using chemical disinfectants and antibiotics. UV rays are ecological. Polluting the environment is inevitable using normal disinfectants. Directly inhaling the vapours, or swallowing food products contaminated by any contact with said chemical disinfectants, can also give rise to a number of serious risks. In cases where chemical disinfectants cannot be eliminated (food, pharmaceutical, healthcare industries, etc.), using ultraviolet rays for disinfection allows a reduction in their use, with considerable economic savings and greater care for the environment, while maintaining and almost always improving the level of disinfection. UV-C light devices can be installed in environments and on machinery and be programmed to maintain the same level of disinfection day and night, guaranteeing ideal hygiene conditions, without highs and lows. On the contrary, chemical disinfectants are effective only during their actual use. Using LIGHT PROGRESS equipped luminaires, operating costs are negligible; it could be said that “LIGHT PROGRESS” UV-C systems do not require maintenance except for the normal replacement of the lamps. The cost/benefit ratio is considered excellent; the devices are both powerful and long-lasting. Hence the elimination of germs using UV-C technology is low-cost and highly effective compared to (or in combination with) other systems.

UV-C really does work when applied correctly and with the necessary precautions. The difference between a quality project and an unsuccessful application is in-depth knowledge and experience gained over time. Since 1987, Light Progress has been carrying out successful projects all over the world and has acquired a clientele of major companies in all sectors that require verified hygienic conditions to produce quality products and services.