School clinics are breeding grounds for diseases and viruses. Viruses and bacteria can live 20 minutes to several hours on surfaces as well as circulate through the air systems in schools. HVAC systems circulate air through the school clinics picking up airborne malignant microbes.  If these malignant microbes are not stopped in the school clinics air system they can be dispersed throughout the entire school potentially infecting many others.

The CDC  said in 1999 that 1/5 of people in the US either attend school or work at a school and approximately 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold alone (1996).

 Regular cleaning of school clinics, sanitation of surfaces, education on hand washing, covering mouths when sneezing or coughing, and not sharing towels, clothing or other items is essential in stopping the spread of germs in schools.

 

All too often proper ventilation and air purification is overlooked. We can’t see the germs going through the air except when a student or teacher sneezes but that seems only momentary. Where do those germs go after the moisture droplet has evaporated? Some land on surfaces, while others continue to float through the air and are often distributed throughout the entire facility through the HVAC system.  While filtration of these malignant pathogens is one option it may not always be the best. HEPA Filters while very effective can inhibit airflow and make electrical costs significantly higher because more powerful systems are needed to pull the air through a HEPA filter system. HVAC systems can also breed germs and mold within their filters or duct systems. These malignant microbes can then be disbursed again into the ambient air spreading illness, and disease and cause allergies among staff and students. 

 Photocatalytic Oxidation technology has been proven to destroy pathogens, mold, and volatile organic compounds at a higher rate than UV light alone. Zandair™ uses photocatalytic oxidation in their air purification/filtration products and they can be retrofitted into existing HVAC systems without interrupting air flow and are energy efficient. Zandair™ products can significantly reduce malignant microbes in school clinics.

School clinics help care for students that may have become ill or injured while attending school, keeping those germs isolated from others with proper air purification will ensure the health and well being of students and staff. Contact a distributor near you to answer any questions or comments you may have.