BOSTON — Air quality in older schools in Massachusetts has been a sticking point for teachers’ unions as they face a return to school during a pandemic this fall.
“We’re in pretty bad shape in too many buildings,” Massachusetts Teachers Association president Merrie Najimy told Boston 25 News. “We will not go back into the buildings until they can be demonstrated to be safe, including the air quality level.”
Most districts do not have the budget to completely overhaul their aging systems before the start of school. But Westwood epidemiologist and healthy home consultant Hannah Gardener says there are less pricey options to clear the air.
“Recommendations from the Harvard School of Public Health and other government agencies suggest that air purifiers can be really important,” Gardener said. She told Boston 25 News, by filtering out harsh disinfectants and allergens, purifiers can ensure kids won’t be coughing as much at such a critical time.
Though Gardener says more data is needed to know how well the purifiers can reduce infectiousness, she says interest in the technology is high right now.
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“Teachers want air purifiers. Families want air purifiers,” Gardener said. “Extra layers of protection is exactly what people want.”
Gardener says more people want to put individual purifier units in classrooms to improve air quality there. She says she’s even hearing from parent groups that want to crowdsource the purifiers, instead of a typical teacher’s gift, with each family contributing $25 or $30.
According to Gardener, individual full-price purifiers range from $595 to $845 each.
The MTA tells Boston 25 News, it supports the use of air purifiers in classrooms but says it needs to be done on a wide scale, preferably, with state-funding.
“Educators and families who can’t afford to do it will continue to languish in schools that are unhealthy, therefore deepening the equity divide,” Najimy said.
>> Related: Boston Teachers Union calls for verification of adequate ventilation in schools
Najimy says she also supports the use of air monitoring technology, like the devices marketed by Washington D.C. based Senseware.
The real-time air monitoring devices have bio-sensors that can detect if viruses are present. The company’s goal is to be able to specifically detect the COVID-19 virus as soon as October.
“These simple things just play such a big role in improving indoor air quality,” said Senseware CEO Serene Al-Momen.
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RESOURCES:
- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information
- Boston Coronavirus Information
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