Today, January 24, marks the United Nations-designated International Day of Education, a celebration of the power of education to break the cycle of poverty and promote equality worldwide.
In the United States and many parts of the world, education is generally mandatory through high school, but access isn’t the only important element – the conditions children learn under are also crucial. But, not all classrooms are created equal.
Alarmingly, many school buildings have compromised air quality due to mold, allergens, building materials (old and new), as well as nearby air pollution from highways, industrial farms, etc.
The Impact of Poor Air Quality on Education
Research reveals a direct correlation between air quality and academic performance. Poor air quality in schools has been linked to a range of issues, including:
Lower IQ scores: Studies in Europe and North America indicate that air pollution exposure during childhood can decrease IQ, impacting critical thinking, memory, and problem-solving skills. The effects are particularly pronounced in areas with heavy traffic or industrial activity.12
Cognitive deficits: Children in polluted areas, such as Mexico City or near high-traffic zones, demonstrate slower cognitive development. A study from Barcelona found that children in schools near heavy traffic showed less cognitive improvement over a school year than their peers in less polluted zones.3 Pollution exposure during school hours – when brain activity and learning are at their peak – may be to blame.
Lower School Attendance: Poor air quality doesn’t only impact students’ academic abilities – it also contributes to health issues like asthma, allergies, and neuroinflammation, leading to increased absenteeism.
Decreased academic performance: In Massachusetts, researchers linked fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution to the loss of nearly 2 million IQ points among children aged 0-9.4 Even in areas where pollution levels were within EPA standards, children experienced cognitive impairments that affected learning, graduation rates, and lifetime earnings.
These challenges are often more pronounced in low-income communities, where schools are more likely to be located near highways, industrial sites, or areas with poor infrastructure.
Clean Air Boosts Academic Performance
The good news? Clean air can significantly enhance student outcomes. Evidence suggests:
Higher test scores: Schools with improved air quality have reported substantial improvements in standardized test scores. A study by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University demonstrated that introducing air purifiers in classrooms boosted students’ performance to levels comparable to reducing class sizes by 30%.5 This underscores the direct link between cleaner air and cognitive performance.
Better attendance: Fewer respiratory illnesses mean students are less likely to miss school due to health issues. Improved air quality also reduces the spread of airborne illnesses, creating a healthier learning environment for everyone.
Improved focus and behavior: Research indicates that clean air enhances not just academic achievement but also students’ ability to concentrate and regulate emotions. These improvements translate to more productive classroom environments.
Long-lasting benefits: The benefits of cleaner air are not short-lived. In the aftermath of the Aliso Canyon gas leak, schools equipped with air purifiers observed sustained academic gains that extended into the following school year. This natural experiment demonstrated the long-term value of investing in clean air.
Air purifiers with medical-grade HEPA filters and activated carbon technology, such as those provided by Austin Air, have proven effective in reducing airborne pollutants in classrooms. These filters are designed to capture fine particles, gases, and chemicals, ensuring a healthier and more productive environment for students and teachers alike.
By improving air quality, schools can empower students to reach their full potential and pave the way for brighter futures.
![An infographic explain that: “Evidence suggests clean air in the classroom leads to: Higher test scores, Better attendance, [and] Improved focus and behavior… With benefits for instructors too!” Each item is bullet-pointed with a star. There is a line drawing of a lightbulb in the bottom right corner.
The words, “Austin Air Systems” are in royal blue at the bottom, in the center.](https://austinair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/clean-air-in-the-clasroom-leads-to-better-student-outcomes-e1737669422381.jpg)
Bridging the Gap for Underserved Communities
Schools in low-income areas often experience worse air quality due to proximity to highways, industrial sites, or a lack of green spaces. Portable air purifiers can be a cost-effective and accessible solution to bridge this gap, helping students in underserved communities thrive. By filtering out harmful contaminants, these devices address not only immediate health concerns but also systemic inequalities in education.
Wildfires and Prescribed Burns: A Special Threat to Air Quality
We often associate air pollution with urban areas but another major source of pollutants in classrooms are wildfires and prescribed burns, which tend to impact rural areas more.6 Smoke from these events contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which poses serious health risks, especially for children with preexisting conditions like asthma.
Prolonged smoke exposure can cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues, reduce academic performance, and increase absenteeism due to illness. Schools in wildfire-prone or prescribed burn areas need robust indoor air quality measures, such as medical-grade HEPA and activated carbon air purifiers by Austin Air, to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants. Establishing cleaner air spaces within schools can provide students and staff with a safe environment during smoke events.
Education for All
As we celebrate International Day of Education, it’s essential to recognize that education isn’t just about access to schools but also about ensuring a safe, healthy environment for children to learn. Addressing air quality in classrooms is a critical step toward unlocking every child’s potential and breaking down barriers to success.
By prioritizing clean air, we create a foundation where students can breathe easy, think clearly, and reach new heights.
For more information on how clean air can transform classrooms, visit AustinAir.com. Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
REFERENCES
1 Costa LG, Cole TB, Dao K, et al. (2019). Neurotoxicity of air pollution: Role of neuroinflammation. Advances in Neurotoxicology. 3: 195–221. doi: 10.1016/bs.ant.2018.10.007.
2 Calderón-Garcidueñas L, Mora-Tiscareño A, Ontiveros E, et al. (2008 June 11). Air pollution, cognitive deficits and brain abnormalities: a pilot study with children and dogs. Brain Cogn. 68(2): 117-27. doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2008.04.008.
3 Sunyer J, Esnaola M, Alvarez-Pedrerol M, et al. (2015 March 3). Association between traffic-related air pollution in schools and cognitive development in primary school children: a prospective cohort study. PLoS Med. 12(3): e1001792. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001792.
4 Landrigan PJ, Fisher S, Kenny ME, et al. (2022 July 18). A replicable strategy for mapping air pollution’s community-level health impacts and catalyzing prevention. Environ Health. 21, 70. doi: 10.1186/s12940-022-00879-3.
5 Gilraine, Michael. Air Filters, Pollution and Student Achievement. EdWorkingPaper: 20-188. Retrieved from Annenberg Institute at Brown University: http://www.edworkingpapers.com/ai20-188.
6 Wildfires and indoor air quality in schools and commercial buildings. (2025 January 14). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/wildfires-and-indoor-air-quality-schools-and-commercial-buildings.
