This certainly wasn’t a problem in the days of the one-room schoolhouses – lack of fresh air. On warmer days there were windows that actually opened, and in winter, there were plenty of drafts blowing in around windows and doors to provide a plethora of fresh air.
In this age of energy conservation, airtight buildings are the norm. They may be better for reducing heating-fuel consumption, but indoor air quality is suffering.
Students and staff at Parkside Elementary School are feeling the effects of airtight windows and doors. Last week parents were notified that at least four classes will be moved to other areas of the school because of the lack of fresh air in certain areas of the building. The problem is concentrated to the second level, which has no mechanical air-exchange system.
It wasn’t a problem before as they had windows that could be opened. Now there are few of these windows remaining, and lately, when they do open windows and doors, the cold air is freezing out the occupants.
Parkside is not the only school being fitted with energy efficient windows. About a year ago, the P.E.I. Education minister of the day, Doug Currie, announced inspections would be done at a number of schools across the province to check for air quality problems. The review was prompted by the mould found at Elm Street Elementary School in Summerside, which closed the school for part of the year.
As a result of inspections, some improvements, such as news windows, were carried out at Island schools. These tightly-sealed windows were key to keeping moisture out and preventing mould from forming. But they’re also keeping in the carbon dioxide expelled by the people inside and keeping out the more oxygen-rich air.
It’s a dilemma engineers will have to struggle with. Simply moving classes to other parts of the building is only a temporary fix. Now that the windows are already installed, air exchange systems will likely have to be installed or updated at these schools and other large buildings that house a significant number of people all day.
We can’t have people suffering from headaches and low energy because of lack of oxygen. Better air handling systems will have to accompany structural changes to make buildings airtight, but perhaps the advantages of airtight windows that also open should be considered.
Otherwise if students and teachers are feeling sluggish and suffering from headaches, they should be getting outside during recess and lunch breaks. A little fresh air can do wonders, and if it’s cold, all the more refreshing.
