WRDSB reveals findings from air quality study
Posted Jan 24, 2024 10:58:08 AM.
Last Updated Jan 24, 2024 03:22:39 PM.
Parents now have an update on air quality in Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) classrooms.
WRDSB staff were directed to install carbon dioxide sensors in at least three schools in March 2022. In a subsequent motion in May 2023, staff were required to present the results from the sensors in January 2024.
The subject of the board’s CO2 Sensor Feasilibity Study were Laurentian Public School, Abraham Erb Public School and Chicopee Hills Public School.
The sensors were placed in over 20 classroom at the three schools and all showed carbon dioxide levels of around 700-800 ppm in the months of September to November 2023.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standard for the daily maximum average exposure to carbon dioxide is 1100 parts per million (PPM). Manager of Capital Projects Ron Dallan explained the health consequences to carbon dioxide levels above that limit.
“You may get some comments on tiredness when you get into that 1000-2000 parts per million and then at 1500 to 2000, in that range, your ventilation might not be working properly.”
The cost to implement CO2 sensors in all classrooms across WRDSB would be $6 million with another $100,000 annually for maintenance.
Currently, less than 60 per cent of WRDSB classrooms are designed to utilize CO2 sensors to control ventilation.
