A few months ago, I sat across from a high school facilities director in the Midwest, listening to her describe a recurring problem that had been plaguing her campus for years. The district had just spent a small fortune fixing mold outbreaks in three older buildings—outbreaks that forced hundreds of students and staff to relocate to temporary modular classrooms for half a semester. “We do regular air filter changes,” she told me, “we hire cleaning companies twice a month, but it feels like we’re always putting out fires instead of solving the root of the issue.” That conversation is what made me stop and ask: Can a purification system be used in schools? As someone who’s spent the last decade designing, installing, and maintaining these systems for commercial and institutional spaces, I’ve seen firsthand how the needs of a school are uniquely different from those of an office building or a retail center. But I’ve also seen the tangible, life-changing benefits when a purification system is tailored to those needs. Let’s break this down, not as a sales pitch, but as a question rooted in the daily reality of 50 million students and 3 million school staff across the United States. Purification System
First, we have to understand what exactly school air quality consists of. When you walk into a classroom, you’re not just breathing air—you’re breathing a mix of things that are generated by the space itself, and things that seep in from outside. Indoor contaminants in schools are well-documented: volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from new textbooks, dry erase markers, art supplies, and even the vinyl flooring installed when a building was renovated last year. Then there’s particulate matter—tiny particles that come from dust, mold spores, and pollen, but also from things like chalk dust (yes, even in many modern classrooms), eraser shavings, and the dust that accumulates in heating and cooling systems over summer break. Outside, schools located near busy roads or industrial areas face additional threats: exhaust fumes, wildfire smoke in many parts of the country, and even pollen levels that spike during allergy season.
The risks of these contaminants for children are not trivial. The American Academy of Pediatrics has repeatedly published studies linking poor indoor air quality in schools to lower test scores, increased absenteeism, and higher rates of asthma and other respiratory conditions. A 2022 study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that students in classrooms with elevated levels of particulate matter scored 15% lower on math and reading assessments than their peers in classrooms with cleaner air. For a 10-year-old, that difference can mean the gap between meeting grade-level standards and falling behind, with long-term impacts on their academic trajectory. For staff, prolonged exposure to these contaminants can lead to chronic health issues that force early retirement or limit their ability to work with students.
So, here’s where purification systems come in—but not all purification systems are created equal. As a supplier, I often get asked: Why can’t we just use the air filters we already have? The answer is that standard HVAC filters used in most schools are designed to protect the HVAC equipment, not to eliminate harmful contaminants. A basic MERV 8 filter, which is common in many older school systems, only catches about 20% of tiny particulate matter and does almost nothing to remove VOCs or gaseous pollutants. To truly purify air, you need a system that combines filtration with additional technologies. The most effective systems for schools use a multi-stage approach: first, a pre-filter to catch large dust and debris, then a high-MERV (MERV 13 or higher) filter to capture small particles, and finally, either activated carbon to adsorb VOCs and gases, or UV-C light to kill bacteria and viruses that circulate in crowded spaces.
Crowding is another key factor that makes schools different. A typical classroom of 25 to 30 students can generate a lot of exhaled air, which can circulate viruses and bacteria more easily if the space is not properly ventilated. During flu season, this is a major contributor to absenteeism—recent CDC data shows that flu-related school absenteeism peaks at 12% in mid-winter, often tied to poor indoor air quality and stagnant air. A well-designed purification system doesn’t just filter existing air; it can also help improve ventilation rates without increasing energy costs, which is a huge win for schools operating on tight budgets.
Now, let’s talk about real-world examples, because theory only goes so far. Last year, we installed a 12-unit purification system at a middle school in rural Ohio that had struggled with consistent asthma-related absenteeism among its 6th and 7th graders. Before the installation, the school had an average of 18 missed days per student per year due to asthma. Six months after the system was up and running, that number dropped to 7 missed days per student. The principal told me that the number of nurse visits for respiratory symptoms also fell by 60%, and teachers reported fewer students needing to step outside to catch their breath during class. That’s not a stat pulled from a press release; that’s data the school nurse tracked in her daily log.
Another example is a high school outside of Phoenix, which deals with extreme heat and frequent wildfire smoke events during dry seasons. The school’s HVAC system was outdated, and during the 2022 wildfire season, air quality levels inside classrooms were so poor that the district had to switch to remote learning for three days. After installing portable purification units in every classroom and tying a central purification system to the main HVAC, the school was able to stay open during the 2023 wildfire season, with air quality levels in classrooms consistently below EPA safety limits. The district’s facilities manager told me that the cost of the purification systems was about 20% of what it would have cost to install a new HVAC system across the campus, and the savings in lost learning days alone paid for the systems in one school year.
But here’s the thing: purification systems in schools aren’t one-size-fits-all. A small elementary school with 10 classrooms has very different needs than a large urban high school with 50 classrooms and a vocational wing with metalworking and woodshop spaces that generate additional particulate matter. As a supplier, I work with each school to do an air quality audit first—testing for specific contaminants that are present in that particular space. For example, a school with an art program will need additional carbon filtration to handle paint fumes and solvent odors, while a school near a busy highway will need systems that target nitrogen oxides from exhaust. We also factor in budget, existing HVAC infrastructure, and the school’s long-term goals—like reducing absenteeism or improving test scores—when designing a system.
One of the most common misconceptions I hear is that purification systems are too expensive for schools. I won’t lie—there is an upfront cost, but when you weigh it against the costs of the alternatives, it’s a worthwhile investment. Think about it: the average school district spends thousands of dollars per year on substitute teachers when students are absent, plus the cost of medical visits for respiratory conditions, and the long-term cost of students falling behind academically. A purification system, properly maintained, can last 10 to 15 years, and many models have low operating costs—they use less energy than you might think, and filter replacements are straightforward and affordable. Many states also offer grants or tax incentives for schools that improve indoor air quality, which can offset the upfront cost significantly.
Maintenance is another key point, because a purification system won’t work if it’s not taken care of. That’s why we offer ongoing maintenance plans for all of our school clients, including regular filter changes, system inspections, and air quality testing. For schools with small facilities teams, we can handle all of the maintenance remotely, with on-site visits every three months to check system performance. We also train a designated staff member at each school to do basic checks, so they feel confident that the system is working as it should. I’ve seen too many purification systems installed and then ignored because the district didn’t have a plan for maintenance, which defeats the purpose. A system is only as good as the care it gets.
Of course, no system is perfect. Purification systems can’t fix every issue—they work best as part of a broader indoor air quality plan that includes regular cleaning, proper ventilation, and limiting the use of products with high VOC levels. But they are a powerful tool that can address many of the biggest, most persistent challenges schools face. I’ve had teachers tell me that their students are more focused in class, because they’re no longer sniffling or wiping red eyes from poor air. I’ve had parents reach out to say their child’s asthma symptoms improved dramatically after the purification system was installed. Those are the moments that matter, more than any data or sales pitch.
Now, if you’re reading this as a school administrator, a teacher, a parent, or someone involved in making decisions about school facilities, I want you to know that purification systems are a viable, science-backed solution that works. They’re not a luxury—they’re an investment in the health and success of every student and staff member in your building. If you’re curious about how a purification system could work for your school, I encourage you to reach out to discuss your specific needs and explore the options available.
Before I wrap this up, I want to address a common concern: is there any research that supports the use of purification systems in schools? Absolutely. A 2021 meta-analysis of 30 studies on school indoor air quality found that multi-stage purification systems reduced particulate matter levels by up to 80% and VOC levels by up to 65% in classroom settings. Another study, conducted by the University of California, Berkeley, found that using portable air purifiers in classrooms improved math test scores by 7% and reading test scores by 5% over one school year, compared to classrooms without purifiers. These are not small numbers—they represent real, measurable improvements in student outcomes.
At the end of the day, schools are places where our most valuable resource—children—spend a huge part of their day. The air they breathe in those classrooms directly impacts their ability to learn, play, and grow. For too long, we’ve treated poor indoor air quality as an unavoidable part of school life. But it doesn’t have to be. A purification system isn’t a silver bullet, but it’s a critical part of creating a safe, healthy, and productive learning environment for everyone. If you’re ready to explore how a system can work for your school, don’t hesitate to connect to discuss your needs.
Purification System References
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). Indoor Air Quality in Schools: A Guide for Pediatricians.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2022). Air Quality and Academic Outcomes in U.S. Elementary Schools.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). School Absenteeism Related to Respiratory Viruses, 2022-2023 Academic Year.
University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health. (2021). The Impact of Classroom Air Purification on Student Academic Performance.
Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Guide to Indoor Air Quality in Educational Facilities.
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