One year ago, cleantech business Airly started installing air pollution sensors in schools across the U.K. This 2021 measure was designed to help school children and parents understand more about air pollution levels. The sensors monitored air 24 hours a day in the immediate vicinity of the school and they were able to view this data for free on the Airly app or map.
Airly has recently reported on the air pollution levels in these communities and the results, which have been shared with Digital Journal, spark some concerns. This has led to a #LetSchoolsBreathe campaign being triggered and marked on social media.
For example, the data shows 65 percent of U.K. schools exceed safe air pollution levels. This analysis is based on data from 36 schools based in 9 U.K. cities.
The data also shows that 35 out of 36 schools experience levels of particulate matter 2.5 pollution that exceed the safe norms set out by the World Health Organisation. “Fine” particulate matter, as 2.5 PM, and whatever microscopic toxins they may be carrying with them, do not only penetrate the lungs. They are also small enough to pass directly into the bloodstream.
In addition, 2022 has seen the safe annual norm for nitrogen dioxide be exceeded at 21 (65 percent) of the schools surveyed. Studies on human populations have shown that long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide levels may decrease lung function and increase the risk of respiratory symptoms such as acute bronchitis and cough and phlegm.
The pattern also indicates that every school experienced exceedances of diurnal (daily) norms for nitrogen dioxide and particulates.
The top three school areas of concern were found to be:
| Rank | City | School Type | PM2.5 | % days where Norm exceeded | Number of exceedances |
| 1 | Tooting | Primary School | 19.85 | 63% | 6 |
| 2 | Southampton | Primary School | 11.93 | 38% | 23 |
| 3 | Lambeth | Primary and Secondary School | 11.59 | 32% | 14 |
It is of public concern that students are exposed to high concentrations of pollutants, mainly during travel to school and in school playgrounds.
While the levels are high, the activities of data collection and reporting are also helping to raise awareness, including helping school children understand more about air pollution such as particulate matter (PM) and dangerous pollutant gases (like nitrogen dioxide). Improved knowledge mat help to make the issue of air pollution a key topic for discussion among school communities and to help drive governmental action.
