How Air Quality Affects Student Attendance, Learning, and Academic Success
Air Quality & Student Success
An often overlooked factor of student success in the classroom is not curriculum or learning style, but air quality. Growing research has shown that air quality plays a significant role in students’ health, attendance, cognitive performance, and long-term academic achievement.
4 Ways Air Quality Affects Student Learning & Performance
1. Air Quality & Student Health
Poor air quality, especially elevated levels of pollutants like particulate matter, dust, and bacteria, is linked to numerous health issues. Children are particularly vulnerable to developing health concerns like sicknesses, allergies, and weakened immune systems because their lungs are still developing and they are continually exposed while in school buildings.
Studies have shown that exposure to polluted air increases the risk of:
- Asthma and respiratory infections
- Fatigue and headaches
- Decreased lung function and chronic conditions
These health issues are not just a matter of physical well-being; they directly impact a student’s ability to attend school, learn well, and understand the material taught by teachers.
2. Studies Show Attendance Drops When Air Quality Worsens
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), several studies have demonstrated a clear link between air quality and school attendance. Rooms or environments with high pollution commonly trigger asthma or allergic reactions, causing students to miss school due to illness or hospital visits.
A 2022 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that students and teachers in highly air polluted districts missed significantly more school days compared to those in cleaner air locations. These absences can accumulate over time, interrupting learning and creating knowledge gaps that can be difficult to close, particularly for students already facing educational challenges.
3. Cognitive Function & Air Pollution
Even if students are attending class, air quality can affect how well they learn. Test scores are often used as a measure of educational success, and the influence of air quality is increasingly difficult to ignore.
A 2020 Hechinger Report article reported on studies showing that polluted air seemed to cause lower test scores, behavioral problems, and cognitive impairment. Moreover, poor air quality not only is an issue of daily performance but also can have long-term health and learning implications.
4. Indoor Air Quality: A School Infrastructure Issue
While the health risks of outdoor air pollution are growing in awareness, indoor air quality research has been shown to significantly impact student learning. Many school buildings, especially older ones, suffer from inadequate ventilation, mold, and outdated HVAC systems.
Improvements in indoor air quality, such as Purifan air purifiers and better ventilation can:
- Reduce student absences
- Improve concentration
- Enhance academic performance
Schools that invest in air quality improvements may see immediate benefits in attendance and engagement, especially in underserved districts with older school buildings.
The Purifan Air Purifier Solution for Schools
Purifan is dedicated to improving the academic performance of students in and out of the classroom. Our Purifan air purifier mounts directly to a standard ceiling fan and has been shown to completely clean the air in a 20 x 20 foot room every 90 seconds, reducing air pollutants like mold, smoke, bacteria, and dust. Purifan is easy to install and maintain and is backed by our lifetime warranty, providing you peace of mind.
Air quality is a silent but significant factor in the educational success of millions of students. From increasing absenteeism to lowering test scores, the evidence is clear: the cleaner the air, the better students learn and thrive. As awareness grows, addressing air quality must become a central part of educational policy and planning.
Want to learn more about how Purifan can help your students? Contact us now!