By Craig Jefferies, Sanitair
School News Magazine – TERM 3 – 2016 Indoor air quality is a growing problem in our schools, and students, staff and visitors are being exposed unnecessarily. It is a well-known fact that most people spend 90 percent of their days indoors. A study of human exposure to indoor air pollutants by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has indicated that indoor pollution levels may be between two and five times, and sometimes 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. Indoor air pollution has long been implicated as a cause of absenteeism, hospitalisation and reduced quality of life due to respiratory problems. According to Asthma Australia, growing numbers of people are suffering. One in ten Australian’s suffers from asthma and associated respiratory distress.What are the consequences of indoor air problems at school?
Failure to prevent indoor air problems, or failure to act promptly, can have consequences such as:- increasing the chances that the health of students and staff may be affected
- impacting the students’ learning environment, comfort, and attendance
- reducing the productivity of teachers and staff due to discomfort, sickness, or absenteeism faster deterioration and reduced efficiency of the school’s plant and equipment
- straining relationships between school administration, parents and staff
Good indoor air quality contributes to a favourable learning environment for students, productivity for teachers and staff, and a sense of comfort, health, and well-being for school occupants.
One piece of equipment used widely in our classrooms to deliver comfort and enhance the learning experience is air conditioning.
Unfortunately, the biological health of many air conditioning systems is nothing short of appalling, with many harbouring more bacteria than your average wheelie bin or garbage can. Incorrectly and poorly maintained air conditioners are exposing our teachers and children to serious health issues. Untreated, these breeding grounds for pathogens have the potential to trigger respiratory distress.
Mould, bacteria, dirt, mites, bio films, mice, cockroaches, geckos, pest faeces and human DNA are typical contaminants found deep within air conditioning systems in our schools.
Healthy air conditioning is all about controlling contaminants and establishing a biologically balanced environment deep within air conditioning components. Ensuring heat exchange coils, blowers, air wells, primary filters, condensate pans and drains are kept clean and sanitised.
So why are so many school air conditioners so
contaminated that removal Is advised? The correct professional cleaning of key components is critical to establishing a healthy environment deep within an air conditioner. Professional cleaning and sanitising not only ensures your air conditioning is able to deliver a comfortable environment for teachers and students but also a much healthier one. Most air conditioning contractors focus on the mechanical maintenance of air conditioning but lack the correct equipment, products and patience to remediate air conditioners to the Australian Standard 3666. Professional air conditioning cleaning is a specialised field with dedicated technicians, who are highly trained in air conditioning remediation, and in the restoration of healthy environments.
The benefits of specialised air conditioning cleaning
- Improvement of indoor air quality and healthier environments
- Up to 30 percent reduction in energy usage
- Quieter system operation
- Reduce odours
- Increased plant and equipment life
- Reduction of symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality, such as itchy eyes, runny noses and sneezing
- Reduction of respiratory distress, such as asthma attacks.
