Co2 Monitoring
What are CO2 Monitors?
For an excellent overview, watch this webinar on youtube by Professor David Allen.
Why do we need them?
Measuring Co2 levels in the air is a good way to tell
how well ventilated a space is.
The benefits of measuring Co2 levels are two-fold:
1. Poor air quality increases the risk of transmission of airborne infectious diseases such as COVID-19
2. There is good evidence that high CO₂ levels reduce cognitive function and concentration.
What is a safe Co2 level?
Most ratings suggest that:
- General background outdoor readings sit around 450
Less than 600 = Great
600-800ppm = Acceptable
800-1000ppm = Avoid
Above 1000ppm = Avoid at all costs.
The NSW Dept of Education in their expert advice report has recommended that Co2 in classrooms should remain under 850ppm.
How are they used?
This video shows high school students in Sydney checking the air quality of their classrooms.
Is my school using Co2 Monitoring?
For the majority of NSW Public Schools, the answer (Oct 2021) is no. There are some trials being undertaken with schools that were a part of the "Cooler Classrooms Initiative". We will report here, and on our social media, when there is any news from these trials.
Can we donate Co2 Monitors to our school?
The NSW Dept. of Education is discouraging donations from individuals and P&Cs of CO2 monitors and HEPA filters.
There are a handful of schools where the principals have accepted these donations, but many that have been rejected.
If they were to be accepted, they will need to be assessed by the Assets Management Unit, who are currently anticipating this process to take approx. 2-3 months.
The rejection of filters & CO2 monitors has been covered in the media (some are paywall):
- "Row erupts over air purifiers at NSW schools as parents fear Covid spread", The Guardian, Oct 20th 2021
- "Aussie parents call for air purifier rollout as schools reopen", A Current Affair, Oct 19th 2021
- "Parents offer to spend thousands on air purifiers, but some knocked back", Sydney Morning Herald, Oct 19th 2021
- "Parents ask for stronger ventilation standards ahead of return to schools in NSW", ABC News, Oct 17th 2021
- "Sydney school knocks back parents' offer to fund air purifiers", 9News, Oct 13th 2021
How do I choose which Co2 monitor to buy?
Coming soon.
Real-world Classroom Co2 Levels
Parents are sending small, battery-operated Co2 monitors into schools with their children and reporting the results on Twitter using the hashtag #CovidCO2 and #SchoolCo2.