Grantee Research Project Results
Implementation of Cost-Effective Techniques for the Monitoring & Reduction of Indoor Air Pollutant Exposures in Classroom Environments through a Service-Learning Framework
EPA Grant Number: SU840569Title: Implementation of Cost-Effective Techniques for the Monitoring & Reduction of Indoor Air Pollutant Exposures in Classroom Environments through a Service-Learning Framework
Investigators: Boor, Brandon Emil , Jung, Nusrat
Institution: Purdue University
EPA Project Officer: Brooks, Donald
Phase: I
Project Period: August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024
Project Amount: $24,131
RFA: 19th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet Request for Applications (RFA) (2022) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards
Description:
GAQT will apply a service-learning framework through the Purdue EPICS program to develop, evaluate, and implement affordable solutions for classroom air quality monitoring. The project will support U.S. EPA P3 goals of assessing exposure to air pollutants in indoor environments where people spend the majority of their time. GAQT students will use cloud-based sensor data to evaluate temporal trends in indoor air pollutant concentrations and code data to a mass balance model to estimate indoor air pollutant source and loss rates. The team will follow the structured EPICS engineering design process with feedback from teachers and engineers to create modular portable air filtration units with different filter media to reduce student exposure to PM10, PM2.5, VOCs, CO2, and O3. GAQT will advance U.S. EPA P3 goals on development of scalable community-based solutions to prevent and reduce indoor air pollution in classrooms, providing a healthier environment for students to learn, think, and create.
Objective:
Exposure to indoor air pollution is associated with adverse human health outcomes. Poor indoor air quality in K-12 classroom environments has been shown to negatively impact student performance and likelihood of attendance. Student exposure to elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, ultrafine particles), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone (O3), and airborne pathogens can cause respiratory problems, headaches, nausea, and worsen asthma symptoms, thereby negatively affecting learning experiences in the classroom. Underfunded K-12 schools may lack proper building ventilation, in-duct air filtration, and source emission control that can further worsen indoor air quality. Cost-effective solutions are needed to monitor the composition of indoor air in classroom environments and to mitigate student exposure to indoor air pollution. To work towards cleaner air in the classroom, the proposed P3 project aims to: (1) utilize low-cost, cloud-based air quality sensors for real-time monitoring of indoor air pollutant concentrations (PM10, PM2.5, VOCs, CO2, O3) in classrooms in a K-12 school in Lafayette, Indiana for one year; (2.) analyze indoor air pollutant source and loss processes in the classroom through use of a mass balance model and estimate student exposure to indoor air pollutants; (3.) apply the Purdue EPICS engineering design process to design, evaluate, and implement an affordable, practical, and non-invasive indoor air pollutant exposure mitigation solution based on a portable air filtration device; and (4.) create new service-learning learning opportunities for undergraduate engineering students through active participation in EPICS and experiential learning opportunities for K-12 students through development of educational and informational modules and classroom activities on indoor air quality and air filtration.
Expected Results:
The expected outcome of the proposed P3 project is a cost-effective framework for the monitoring and reduction of indoor air pollutants in K-12 classrooms through the tandem use of low-cost air quality sensors and portable air filtration units. The GAQT team will produce a robust multipollutant dataset across 20 classrooms that will inform temporal variations in indoor air pollutant sources and exposures before and after use of active air filtration. Indoor air pollution data will be shared with teachers and administrators in the form of monthly indoor air reports. The P3 project will follow the EPICS engineering design process to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed designs for the portable air filtration units. EPICS undergraduate students will prepare mid- and final-semester design review documents to demonstrate their progress towards meeting the P3 project objectives. Evaluation of service-learning outcomes will be evaluated through review of weekly student reflections by the PI and EPICS staff.
Supplemental Keywords:
indoor air, exposure, children, toxics, particulates, VOCs, viruses, pollution prevention, environmental justice, sensitive populations, design for the environment, environmental education, healthy buildings, community monitoring, sensorsThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.