COVID proofing
I have received calls from schools, who are concerned about opening up after the lockdown, with COVID still around. - What is the safest way to do this? How can we insure minimum viral transmission?
I have been advocating carbon dioxide monitoring in classrooms for a long time, as levels rise quickly, when 25 children are creating in a confined space. The inevitable outcome is fatigue - which is not really supportive of learning.
When re-opening the schools after lock-down in Germany, every classroom had to have an air purifier unit and a CO2 measuring device.
I am writing this, because many of you will soon go back to offices and workplaces, where you are sharing the space with others. With the hyper-contagious delta variant, you could easily catch the virus, - or pass it on. Another lockdown will be the outcome, and we surely do not want that!
An air purifier filters out the air droplets and particles, that carry the virus around. No purifier will ever be able to catch all of them, but it will certainly make a sizeable difference. When considering your purchase, make sure it has a HEPA grade filter, and the filter replacement costs are within reason. The Choice magazine tested air purifiers earlier this year…. there are quite a few rather expensive and ineffective units on the market, choose carefully. For HVAC systems, get in touch with your supplier.
IAQ (indoor air quality) measuring devices assess a number of factors that can be relevant to reducing the spread of viruses:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) measurements are needed, to assess the air quality and ‘stale-ness’ and the need to bring in fresh air. In the aforementioned German schools, the windows have to be opened at least every 20 minutes, to allow a complete air exchange.
Microscopic dust, often measured as PM 2.5 (particle matter, size), can carry virus particles and also needs to be kept to a minimum. Under normal circumstances, such small particles can trigger asthma or even cause lung cancer. Some are small enough (nano-particles, from copying machines and laser printers) to slip through the lungs into our blood stream.
Reputable manufacturers now offer stand-alone IAQ measuring units, as well as networked ones, to monitor the air quality throughout the organisation. Apart from carbon dioxide, units like the uHoo are assessing the particles (micro-fine dust), nitrous oxides (carcinogenic), carbon monoxide, solvents (TVOC), air pressure, temperature, humidity. - Well worth having, in any case.