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Indoor air quality in childcare facilities is still a topic that is under-addressed, even though it directly affects the health and well-being of thousands of students, educators, and school staff. In daycares and schools, children spend an average of more than 30 hours per week in premises that are sometimes poorly ventilated or even poorly maintained. Poor air quality can have significant consequences: it can aggravate respiratory problems such as asthma, impair concentration, cause chronic fatigue, and promote the transmission of viruses.

Multiple Sources of Pollution in School Environments

The sources of pollution in schools and daycares are numerous and varied. Among the most common are dust, mold, dust mites, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by cleaning products or building materials, and carbon dioxide (CO₂). The latter, in particular, can reach high levels in poorly ventilated classrooms, leading to a feeling of suffocation, decreased alertness, and headaches. Excessive humidity, often due to water infiltration, promotes the proliferation of mold, invisible to the naked eye but dangerous for the respiratory tract.

Real consequences for health and learning

Poor indoor air quality can cause numerous symptoms, including coughing, eye and throat irritation, headaches, fatigue, and decreased concentration. In young children, who are more sensitive than adults to pollutants, these effects can be even more pronounced. Some studies have shown that stale air in classrooms can directly impact academic performance, increasing absenteeism and reducing attention span. In short, the environment in which children evolve daily has a direct impact on their cognitive development and overall well-being.

What solutions can be implemented?

There are several concrete and accessible strategies to improve air quality in schools and daycares:

  • Ensure adequate ventilation, whether natural (by regularly opening windows) or mechanical (through well-maintained ventilation systems).
  • Conduct regular tests to measure CO₂ concentrations, humidity, and other pollutants, which allows for rapid response if a critical threshold is reached.
  • Use non-toxic, VOC-free cleaning products and adopt more environmentally friendly cleaning practices.
  • Control indoor humidity by promptly repairing water leaks and installing dehumidifiers in high-risk areas.
  • Train educational staff to recognize the signs of poor air quality and respond effectively.

A Collective Responsibility

Ensuring good air quality in educational institutions is a collective responsibility: that of managers, staff, parents, and public authorities. This is an investment in our children’s health, but also in their educational future. Calling on experts like Benjel not only allows for an accurate diagnosis, but also for the implementation of solutions adapted to the specific needs of each building. Better breathing at school means better learning.