The Importance of Air Exchange in Reopening our Schools According to Harvard
In their report titled Schools for Health: Risk Reduction Strategies for Reopening Schools, Harvard authors Joseph Allen and Jose Cedeno-Laurent and University of Boulder Colorado author Shelly Miller recommend adding a portable air cleaner to classrooms that will increase the ACH to five (5). Recommended systems will include a HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of airborne particles. Additionally, a charcoal filter will reduce concentrations of gas-phase pollutants. However, it will have no impact on viruses.
By promoting air quality in classrooms by giving students access to air that is exchanged no less than five (5) times an hour, not only will schools increase the safety of their students (providing six-foot distancing is maintained), but they will also see an improvement in student performance.