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Description
The 2019 ‘Annual air quality evaluation in the Śląskie province’ study reports indicate that nearly 89% of the Upper Silesian agglomeration population lives in areas with exceeded annual PM 2.5 concentration norms. Research shows that indoor air is even 100 times more polluted (Kim 2018). The European ‘SINPHONIE – the Schools Indoor Pollution and Health’ project results show that indoor air in Polish schools has one of the highest levels of formaldehyde and benzene concentrations in Europe. This can have negative impact on children’s concentration (Lowe 2018) and increase the level of their absenteeism (Shendell 2004). Our observations show that in Poland there is no comprehensive school indoor air quality measurement programme that would explore the causes of pollution and propose preventive actions. Thanks to cooperation with our partner, Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia (GZM), we have engaged 10 schools from the metropolis, at which we will involve teachers, children, and their parents in measuring the level of indoor school air pollution. Together we will work on projects aiming at improving air quality. We will implement selected ideas with support of individuals interested in the topic of air quality and its improvement. GZM will help us prepare a research report and implement our projects. Together with our partner, we will strive to ensure that solutions tested within the project are permanently incorporated into initiatives taken up by local authorities in the Śląskie province.
Summary of project results
The project was a response to air quality problems in schools. Research shows that pupils spend an average of 90% of their time indoors in schools, and the air quality in these places can be up to 100 times worse than outside. Polluted air affects the ability to concentrate, which has a direct impact on students'' learning efficiency and educational achievement. The lack of a comprehensive air quality monitoring programme in Polish schools has meant that the problem has often been downplayed or even ignored.
As part of the project, we carried out comprehensive air quality studies in 12 schools, including an analysis of pollution levels and an assessment of environmental conditions. We also developed a model for systemic change, which involved implementing a variety of solutions to improve air quality inside classrooms. These measures included optimising ventilation systems, increasing the presence of plants that contribute to reducing carbon dioxide, and testing specialised anti-mould devices, among others. In addition, we organised a series of workshops attended by students, teachers and parents alike to share experiences and discuss best practices related to improving air quality in schools. These activities were not only aimed at making concrete infrastructural changes, but also at creating public awareness of the importance of clean air for health and learning efficiency.
As part of the project, we established cooperation with local authorities, the Upper Silesian and Zagłębie Metropolis, which translated into the promotion of the project and facilitated outreach to schools and teachers. In addition, we continued our cooperation with the National Centre for Research and Development, where we submitted comments on recommendations for systemic changes to air quality in schools, as well as to the Senate bill. These activities were aimed at creating sustainable solutions to support improvements in school air quality and advocating for these changes at the national level.
The main effect of the project was to improve air quality in 12 schools in the Silesian Metropolis area, which contributed to students'' learning comfort. As part of the project, we developed a manual with a methodology for improving air quality, which was made available on the website and e-mailed to schools in the Silesian voivodeship. Another product of the project was a series of training sessions for teachers and parents to raise awareness of the importance of clean air for pupils'' health and the learning process.
The main recipients of our activities were students, teachers and parents from the 12 participating schools, as well as local school communities. In addition, the results of the project also had an impact on local authorities, who were able to use the methodology developed to make decisions on improving air quality in other schools in the Silesian Metropolis area.