Schools and Parents Urge Regulation on Classroom Air Purifier Installing

As schools in Beijing and other parts of northeastern China suspend classes because of the red alert over air pollution, many parents are demanding that air purifiers should be installed for the students. [Photo: hexun.com] 

As schools in Beijing and other parts of northeastern China suspend classes because of the red alert over air pollution, many parents are demanding that air purifiers should be installed for the students.

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With major pollution days becoming more frequent, students are staying home, often without supervision. Their parents say it would be better if their children were in the classroom, and that’s why schools need to install air purifiers.

“Our school bought air filters last year. We did a little fund raising, with each parent throwing in several hundred for that.”

“We’ve already bought two air cleaners for the class, both of which are installed.”

The suggestions come as some parents say they received short notice from their child’s school during the first red alert for air pollution, issued earlier this month.

Many parents say they were caught by surprise, especially working couples, giving them little time to figure out how to take care of their children during the day.

Some parents have donated purifiers to their kid’s classroom, while others fund raise together to make the purchase.

However, making such a donation to a school doesn’t always happen smoothly, with some schools even returning the air purifiers to their well-intended donors.

Liu Liangcheng is the vice-principal of Beijing’s Taipinglu primary school, where each classroom has been installed with two air filters.

Liu says installing air cleaners bought by parents can lead to problems.

“We have refused air purifiers bought by parents before, as there is a clear and strict rule for education fees. We can’t just break the rule here. And fixed asset management is also a relevant issue. Also, if we accept one parent’s donation, there might be pressure on others who don’t have the ability to do so.”

He adds that without a standard guidance from local authorities, the brand-choice of the purifier, installation, and even the security of the device can each be an issue.

Also, experts say air purifiers can introduce other unhealthy factors.

Deng Gaofeng, head of the low-carbon-building study office with the China Academy of Building Research, says regular air filtering may cause CO2 concentration to rise.

“Take the classroom we tested for instance. If we keep windows and doors closed during classes, the concentrations of CO2 in the classroom will double from 1000 PPM to some 2000 PPM, while according to safety standards, the highest index should not be more than 1500.”

She adds that a more advanced and more expansive fresh air system is a heather solution.

Back in July, Beijing Municipal Government said it is discussing the possibility of a unified classroom air purifier installation plan, but no actual regulation has been published as of yet.

Schools and Parents Urge Regulation on Classroom Air Purifier Installing

Green Light NOLA celebrates installing half million energy-efficient bulbs

Green Light New Orleans will mark the installation of 500,000 energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in New Orleans area homes with a celebration at Carrollton Station on Tuesday (Jan. 20).

Executive Director and founder of Green Light New Orleans Andreas Hoffman says the ‘CFLebration’ was organized to thank the supporters, participants, volunteers, and sponsors who had part in reaching the goal. The event is free. Food and beverages from Matt ‘n’ Naddies, Boucherie, Chiba and other local establishments will be available for purchase. 

According to Hoffman, the half million CFLs installed by Green Light New Orleans since 2007 are saving participating residents $23 million in utility costs and reducing carbon emissions by 223 million pounds. CFLs use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs, reducing household utility costs and preventing the release of carbon dioxide.

Green Light New Orleans is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in New Orleans. Green Light’s mission is to increase household sustainability and decrease energy use by installing energy efficient light bulbs and building backyard vegetable gardens for free in New Orleans homes. Visit www. greenlightneworleans.org to learn more.

Event Details:

What- CFLebration

When- Tuesday, January 20th, 5 p.m.-9p.m.

Where- Carrollton Station Bar, 8140 Willow St.

Music- Andi Hoffmann & B-Goes (6pm) and Sarah Quintana (7pm)

Food- From Matt’n’Naddies, Boucherie, Chiba and more

Green Light NOLA celebrates installing half million energy-efficient bulbs

AZ Week: TUSD Installing Solar Panels in About 40 Schools

Tucson Unified School District is working on reducing its carbon footprint by installing solar panels in more than 40 of its schools.

The project, anticipated to wrap up construction in about 18 months, could be the largest of its kind in the country, said Cara Rene, director of communications at TUSD.

Photo: AZPM Staff

Cara Rene, director of communications at Tucson Unified School District.

“Soleng Tom Elementary School (is) the second one of our elementary schools to have the solar structures built … It is the start of a really extensive solar project for TUSD,” Rene said for Friday’s broadcast of Arizona Week. “We are able to be a leader in the nation for school districts in putting this many solar panels on our schools.”

The district anticipates saving $11 million in 20 years, with approximately $17,000 the first year, she explained. But most important, she said, it will create carbon footprint reduction. TUSD estimates that the solar energy will keep 19,000 tons of carbon dioxide emission and 23.5 tons of nitrous oxide out of the atmosphere in the first year.

Another positive is that no money is coming from the district’s pocket for the structures’ construction and maintenance, Rene said.

“It is a win-win for the district because the district did not have to put any money up front,” she said. “Basically (the Constellation Co.) … is installing them. We are buying the energy from natural power and energy, so we are going to see savings in that we don’t own them, so we don’t have to do the maintenance on (the panels).”

TUSD has been coping with recent budget cuts, which hit classrooms and administrative entities. Rene said savings that the district will see with the solar panels could go into classrooms.

“The idea is to get money in the classroom always, so when we look at savings … the idea is that lots of other things are going on in the district right now for efficiency … so there are multiple things happening right now to be able to get more money for the classroom,” she said.

The district also plans to incorporate the panels into its curriculum, “with the goal of encouraging students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math,” a news release from TUSD said.

In total, about 38,000 solar panels will be up throughout TUSD, a scale that, Rene said, has not been seen in any other school district in the country.

“With 40-plus schools, it just hasn’t happened,” she said. “We are happy we are leading the way. People are excited that we have taken this step. We have told the community that we were trying to really find opportunities to be more cost effective and cost efficient, and this is a huge way to be able to do that. Clearly solar energy in a place like Tucson … just makes good sense.”

Photo: AZPM Staff

Soleng Tom Elementary School is the second TUSD elementary school getting solar structures built.

AZ Week: TUSD Installing Solar Panels in About 40 Schools

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