Parents check classroom air quality on mobile device

Poor indoor air quality in schools can
become a problem for students and staff.

Many schools are being renovated over the summer, causing parents to worry about potential toxic fumes to affect their children.

Some schools are moving to appease worried parents and provide information about the work being done, the materials used and the indoor air quality in the classroom.

According to a report by ChinaNews, a middle school in Yangpu district has posted QR codes in its recently renovated classrooms so parents can check the quality of the school's renovations with a simple scan of their mobile phones. This was announced by the Shanghai Environmental Protection Industry Association.

The school put up the square bar codes as part of a pilot program that aims to assure parents that their children won't be breathing toxic fumes from the renovations.

Parents worry that the two-month summer vacation isn't long enough for the noxious fumes from some construction materials, which can contain carcinogens such as methylbenzene, to dissipate.

In 2011, 73 students at the newly built Wunan Kindergarten in Shanghai missed the first day of classes because their parents were worried about the "pungent fumes" in the building stemming from construction over the summer.

The QR codes, which can be scanned with most mobile devices, offer parents a simple way to check the air quality and other details about the renovations, said Li Wei, the vice secretary-general of the Shanghai Environmental Protection Industry Association.

The scan results for the school's 72-square-meter conference hall showed that the air quality in the room has been tested on three different days since August 19. The tests were all clear. The scan results also showed that the composite wood floors and coatings on the walls, desks and chairs all met standards.

In the past, schools have not released the complete results of such safety inspections to parents. The QR code scans, however, give parents access to the full inspection results for seven classrooms, Li said.

The pilot program is expected to eventually be implemented citywide, and could be expanded to places like hospitals, shopping malls and movie theaters.

Edited for length. Source: Chinanews

Air cleaners for schools

Back-to-school time often leads to a surge of asthma attacks, allergy symptoms or other health effects caused by poor indoor air quality in classrooms.

Air cleaners for schools

Chemical fumes from construction and renovation work, dust and particles, mold spores, odors and chemicals from strong cleaning products can all cause IAQ problems in schools.

Electrocorp has designed a variety of versatile and mobile air cleaners for schools that can tackle the above-mentioned airborne contaminants and more (including airborne bacteria and viruses).

The air purifiers feature a multi-filter system for best results. That includes a large activated carbon filter to remove chemicals, fumes and odors, a superior medical-grade HEPA filter for particles and dust as well as optional UV germicidal filtration for biological contaminants such as germs and mold spores.

The air cleaners are long-lasting and sturdy, providing cleaner and more breathable air during the school day or on a 24/7 basis.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and a consultation.

Back to school with clean air? Schools plagued by poor IAQ

Air quality issues at two Darlington County, SC, schools

School-aged children may be affected by
poor indoor air quality in the classroom.

Over the summer, Darlington High School has experienced mold issues in a handful of classrooms, according to a press release made public by the school.

The classrooms were cleaned and treated per regular corrective maintenance procedures.

However, the high level of rainfall this summer aggravated the existing situation, causing the old problems to reoccur and additional classrooms to be impacted. In all, seven classrooms at Darlington High are affected, the press release says.

A firm specializing in environmental testing and treatment was scheduled to conduct air quality and other tests in the identified classrooms, as well as throughout the school.

Meanwhile, the school district, in consultation with the industrial hygiene experts, has begun cleaning the classrooms with specially recommended products, removing the carpet, and installing and running industrial dehumidifiers.

As a precaution, the teachers and classes that meet in the seven classrooms will be moved to other locations on the school's campus. The classrooms will not be accessible to students or teachers until the rooms have been appropriately cleared and further testing indicates the problem is resolved.

An unusual odor in a classroom at the Darlington Adult Education Building in the B.A. Gary Complex has prompted district officials, in an abundance of caution, to conduct indoor air quality tests on that classroom and inspect the rest of the building as well. The room has been closed off to staff and students.

Allergic reactions to mold are the most common health effects of mold, according to Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, on medicinenet.com. Asthma attacks may be caused by mold or mold spores in people who have asthma and are allergic to mold. Even in nonallergic individuals, mold can irritate the eyes, skin, and airways.

Parents with concerns are encouraged to call the school's principal or the district office at 843-398-5100.

Source: WBTWNews13

Provide cleaner air in schools 

Electrocorp's RAP series features the carbon
wall, HEPA, pre-filters and UV for mold.

Electrocorp offers high-quality air purifiers for schools and learning institutions that feature the right air filter combination to combat mold, dust, particles, chemicals and odors.

The air cleaners can be easily moved from one room to the next, or they can be installed on the wall or behind the ceiling, as part of the duct system.

Electrocorp has helped schools across North America provide cleaner and healthier air in schools.

Contact an Electrocorp IAQ expert for more information.