LEARN / ARTICLE

Islamic Village School Attains 93% Cleaner Air Quality as a Certified Clean Air Zone

WRITTEN BY

Nafas Indonesia

PUBLISHED

26/02/2024

LANGUAGE

EN / ID

CAZ Stories is a series of articles highlighting the significant impact of Clean Air Zones in diagnosing and mitigating indoor air quality issues for childcare facilities in Indonesia. For more information, read our previous CAZ Stories:

Air pollution remains a significant issue and challenge for Jakarta until now. The capital city's annual pollution level in 2023 reached 38 µg/m3, far exceeding the Indonesian National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 15 µg/m3. This figure is also seven times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) annual guidelines.

The WHO identifies PM2.5 as a critical health hazard due to its very small size, which can enter the lungs when we breathe. PM2.5 poses a threat to the entire population in general, but the risk is much higher for vulnerable groups, including children under five years old and adults over sixty years old.

Based on tests conducted by the Nafas team in the field, the leakage of outdoor air pollution into buildings can reach 100%. This is very concerning, especially for residents living in polluted cities like Jakarta.

An article by Nafas titled "Our Buildings Make Us Sick" emphasizes that air pollution is not just an outdoor problem but also an indoor one. In highly polluted cities, indoor air quality is often as high as outdoor air quality. This means that pollutants from the outside enter and contaminate the indoor air quality of buildings, including our children's schools. That's why maintaining healthy indoor air quality should be a standard, not just an additional facility.

Impact of Air Pollution on Children

A study published in the Kosin Medical Journal by researchers from South Korea and Japan investigated the short-term effects of PM2.5 on children. The study found that the risk of asthma attacks in children increased by 9% when the PM2.5 concentration increased by 10 μg/m³ from a baseline of 15 μg/m³ on the day before the asthma attack (Lee et al., 2018).

In response to this issue, Nafas collaborated with the Islamic Village School to improve indoor air quality to create a healthy environment for children and staff.

Issue: High Air Pollution Levels at Islamic Village School

To assess the extent of outdoor air pollution entering the Islamic Village School, Nafas used air quality monitors connected to a cloud system. These devices are tasked with monitoring levels of PM2.5, CO2 levels, temperature, and humidity.

Looking at data from December 2023, we noted that indoor air quality was often unhealthy, as evidenced by indoor air pollution levels (depicted by the blue line) often spiking well above 15 µg/m³, the 'Good' air quality threshold recommended in the study.

The highest peaks of pollution inside Islamic Village School classrooms reached over 55 µg/m³, nearly four times the recommended threshold of 15 µg/m³!

The existing building infrastructure is insufficient to filter out outdoor pollution and maintain healthy indoor air quality in classrooms to minimize the risk of asthma attacks in children. This situation underscores the urgent need to add air filtration systems in schools to create a healthy learning environment for students, teachers, and staff.

Solution: Transforming Islamic Village School into a Clean Air Zone

To address poor indoor air quality in buildings in polluted cities like Jakarta, Nafas has developed the Clean Air Zone system. This ecosystem is designed comprehensively to maintain healthy indoor air quality throughout operational hours. This can be achieved through automated and integrated systems that include accurate air quality measurements, effective air filtration techniques, strong certification standards, and data-driven programs involving relevant stakeholders.

Our services can be obtained through a subscription model without upfront investment. The Clean Air Zone ecosystem can help improve indoor air quality in schools easily and practically.

Result: Drastic Reduction in Pollution at Islamic Village School Jakarta

In January 2024, the Islamic Village School transformed into a Clean Air Zone. The collaboration between the school and Nafas highlights the importance of healthy air in school learning spaces.

Data on air quality collected by the Nafas team during January 2024 showed a significant decrease in indoor air pollution levels in Islamic Village School classrooms after becoming a Clean Air Zone.

As a result, the air quality inside Islamic Village School became cleaner by over 93% after becoming a Clean Air Zone. Children can breathe cleaner and healthier air during school hours.

Monthly Air Quality Report

Through the data-driven Clean Air Zone service, the school will receive a monthly report containing air quality metrics from the previous month. School leaders can share this information with parents, teachers, staff, and stakeholders, ensuring transparency and encouraging informed involvement.

Below is an example of the monthly report received by Islamic Village School:

Becoming a Clean Air Zone Is Easy

Interested in ensuring the health of the air quality in your child's school? Feel free to contact us at [email protected], or click the link below and join our mission to make clean air the standard in our children's schools!