Thick air in Austria's classrooms: endangerment for students!

Thick air in Austria's classrooms: endangerment for students!

good air quality in schools is not just a question of well -being, but also crucial for the health and concentration of the students. A current study by the Technical University of Graz shows alarming results regarding ventilation in Austrian classrooms. Over 75% of the classrooms examined exceeded the CO2 guideline of 1,000 ppm in the school year 2023/24, which is considered a health hazard. Especially during the winter months, the proportion of classrooms with high CO2 values continued to increase, and values of over 6,900 ppm could be measured occasionally, which leads to an increased number of respiratory infections.

A total of around 1,200 classrooms were examined throughout Austria, with a quarter not the minimum level of ventilation met in accordance with European standards. The study revealed that special schools and urban schools in particular often have better CO2 values, which is primarily due to the lower occupancy density in special schools and the better opportunities for ventilation in urban institutions. In contrast, rural schools show greater challenges in compliance with the ventilation guidelines.

recommendations for correct ventilation

The importance of regular air exchange in classrooms cannot be overempined. Experts recommend at least three times the air change per hour, by ventilation every 20 minutes or more frequently. At cold temperatures, windows should be opened for 3 to 5 minutes, while a ventilation of 10 to 20 minutes is recommended on warm days. Cross ventilation proves to be the most effective way to let in fresh air and dissipate the air. This is supported by the knowledge of the Environmental Federal Agency that emphasizes that simple ventilation is not sufficient to minimize the risk of infection in classrooms.

The use of CO2 sensors to monitor air quality is an effective measure. These sensors indicate when the CO2 values are dangerously high and help teachers and students to adapt the ventilation behavior accordingly. More than half of the classrooms examined at the University of Graz are already using such sensors that can contribute to improved ventilation behavior. In addition, mobile air purifiers and stationary supply and exhaust air systems can improve air quality, but do not replace regular ventilation.

air quality as a health factor

An investigation in German schools shows that the CO2 concentration was often above the recommended values. In a study by Christian Schwarzbauer, professor of medical technology, it was found that the window ventilation on 24% of the classroom was not sufficient to comply with the CO2 limit values. Mobile air filters proved to be ineffective in CO2 reduction because they cannot remove the gas itself. These results underline the need for a fundamental improvement in the ventilation systems in schools to ensure a safe learning environment, especially in times of pandemic outbreaks.