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this post was submitted on 28 Nov 2023
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Science
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Related - https://www.vox.com/2020/1/8/21051869/indoor-air-pollution-student-achievement
There was a leak at a methane storage facility in the LA area. Several schools were provided air filters well after the event (methane is lighter than air). They had the filters for four months even though the methane levels were normal. Test scores increased.
So if methane levels were normal what were the filters taking out of the air? I don't really know what air filters filter out can they remove CO2 because that's been proven to lower IQ levels
Perhaps dust and particulates? The SoCal area is very dusty. If you leave your car parked for a few days it will have a fine layer of dust on it.
Imagine breathing that in along with all the other germs normally present in a classroom. Less sickness should allow more learning.
I would assume it's the last point; less sickness from airborne illnesses means more time and energy for learning.
Unfortunately, I don't think there has been research here.
Hopefully since the start of COVID (it is not over) any new builds or upgrades will include fresh air and filters. This is already done for large gatherings of national leaders so the tech is available.
They filter particulates, CO2 is a gas. Some also have UV-C lights for killing microbes, and some have ozone generators which, despite making things smell clean, should not be run near people.
If you want to "filter" CO2 out you need what's called and carbon-dioxide scrubber, like what's used in rebreathers for divers, submarines, and the space station.
Also the UV ones are basically a scam, they shine a UV light on the air for so little time it achieves nothing.
Pretty much figured that. I have seen one which shines it at the filter which 🤷♀️ maybe does something but yeah, probably the better way if someone really wanted to do that is to evacuate the room and just have the light in there for a bit but even having one of those bulbs around without interlocks is kinda dangerous. All the danger of staring at someone welding without the super bright light to make you look away.