Creating a healthy indoor air quality in the classroom or workplace

Posted on March 8, 2023

The effects of poor indoor air quality in classroom/workplace are well documented.   Chronic illnesses including reduced cognitive abilities, fatigue, and increased absenteeism have all been attributed to poor indoor air quality.

Many of us are aware that our health can be impacted through outdoor air pollution, eg in heavy traffic areas or industrial zones. But what about indoor air pollution? Studies indicate that in some cases indoor level pollutants can actually be 5x times higher than outdoor air levels. This is a problem since most of us spend a good deal of our day indoors – at home, in an office, or in a classroom.

Research shows that indoor air pollution is one of the five major environmental risks to the public health.

Primary, secondary, and university level classrooms and buildings are all impacted because poor indoor air can directly affect health and performance and may even result in an increased level of absenteeism in students and staff.  The HSE recommends there is adequate ventilation in enclosed areas of a work or study area.  Regulation 6 of the Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations, states employers must ‘ensure that every enclosed workplace is ventilated by a sufficient quantity of fresh or purified air’.

Carbon dioxide detectors can assist with this initiative by measuring the presence and concentration of CO2 in the air in parts per million (ppm) and can help identify poor levels of ventilation. 

Taking action to improve air quality in the classroom/workplace.

Brannan offer a carbon dioxide detector measures carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the immediate environment, as well as temperature and humidity.

The device helps measure ventilation in enclosed spaces such as classrooms, office, and hospitality venues – an essential factor in fighting the spread of contagious viruses and bacteria such as COVID-19

Everyone exhales carbon dioxide into their immediate environment – therefore this product can be used in any enclosed space.

The law says employers must make sure there is an adequate supply of fresh air in enclosed areas of the workplace.

Using a CO₂ detector ensures the room is ventilated correctly and therefore reduces the risk of aerosol transmission.

Click here to find out more:    https://www.brannan.co.uk/product/carbon-dioxide-detector/

How to use

  • CO₂ levels vary within an indoor space. It is best to place the detector at head height and away from windows, doors or air supply openings.
  • The detector should also ideally be positioned at least 50cm away from people
  • Measurements within a space can vary during the day due to changes in numbers of occupants, activities or ventilation rates.
  • The amount of CO₂ in the air is measured in parts per million (ppm). If your measurements in an occupied space seem very low (far below 400ppm) or very high (over 1500ppm), it’s possible your monitor is in the wrong location and you should move it to another location.
  • Stand alone readings may be misleading. It is recommended that you should take several measurements throughout the day and calculate the average.
  • Please note, in large open spaces and rooms with high ceiling such as a warehouse, CO₂ detectors may be less effective

For full information, go to:    https://www.brannan.co.uk/product/carbon-dioxide-detector/