At HAHS, students breathe every minute to get enough oxygen to support their normal biological processes. While it may sound mundane to acknowledge something as simple as respiration, it has a large impact on students’ health and ability to learn in class. As such, the school has always ensured that the building receives a constant supply of clean air so everyone can breathe normally without difficulty.
Air has various positive and negative effects on students. Carbon dioxide levels increase when ventilation is poor and stagnant, resulting in an average 5% decrease in attention in class, according to Harvard. The overall impact is larger when everyone, including teachers and students, is affected. Moreover, the American Lung Association states that unclean air can cause congestion, irritation, weariness, and allergic responses, while the wrong temperature and humidity can make colds and other respiratory illnesses spread more easily. As a result, students in areas with poor ventilation are more likely to be absent and have lower productivity. In contrast, students in schools with ventilation systems are less likely to get sick or be absent and are more likely to be productive and have higher test scores.
The school ensures that classrooms receive clean air by running its HVAC system continuously throughout the day. HVAC is an acronym meaning “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning,” and the system improves comfort by adjusting the temperature and providing fresh air while also displacing pollutants, gases, and carbon dioxide, as stated by HowStuffWorks. Almost every class has a vent that allows it to get the air sent by the HVAC, and teachers can customize it to a comfortable temperature. Without it, the school’s air quality would progressively worsen as air stagnated, making it easier for carbon dioxide and other pollutants to build up. Also, temperature extremes would make it harder for students and teachers to focus on their tasks. Overall, though, the school does not have major issues with its HVAC, and it has been able to manage air quality effectively throughout the year, making it easier for teachers and students to breathe effortlessly
For more information, visit www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/news/25/06/healthy-schools-need-healthy-air, www.lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/building-type-air-resources/at-school/school-air-quality-impact, and home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/heating-and-cooling/heating-and-cooling-system-basics-ga.htm.
