Why Clean Air Matters in Schools: Air pollution is a serious issue in bustling cities like Mumbai, where tiny particles and pollutants fill the air. For schools, this is especially critical because children spend hours indoors and outdoors, breathing that air. Poor air quality can lead to health problems like asthma, allergies, or trouble concentrating. The American School of Bombay (ASB) recognized this and wanted to ensure their students and staff were breathing clean, safe air. They already had an advanced air purification system. But they needed a reliable way to monitor its effectiveness and track outdoor air quality, too. That’s where Prana Air stepped in—to measure the air, provide clear data, and reassure parents that ASB was a healthy place for their kids.
What Problems Did the American School of Bombay Face?
ASB faced some specific challenges that needed smart solutions for air quality monitoring:
1. Was the Indoor Air Really Clean?
The school had a state-of-the-art air purification system. But they needed hard evidence that these systems were removing harmful pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10. These are the tiny dust particles small enough to enter the lungs and cause respiratory issues or worsen conditions like asthma.
2. Was It Safe Outside?
Outdoor play and physical education are key parts of school life, but Mumbai’s air can get polluted. The school needed to know if the outdoor air was safe for kids or if it posed risks from high levels of PM2.5 and PM10.
3. How to Show Parents?
Transparency is vital for parents. ASB wanted a way to share real-time air quality data so families could see for themselves that the school was a safe environment. This openness builds trust and peace of mind.
The school needed a straightforward, dependable system to monitor air quality both inside and out—and that’s exactly what Prana Air delivered.
How Prana Air Solved Air Monitoring Issue in the American School of Bombay?
Prana Air provided cutting-edge tools tailored to ASB’s needs:
Inside the School: Squair Lite Monitors
We have installed 40 compact Squair Lite monitors across classrooms, libraries, and common areas. These devices measure multiple factors critical to indoor air quality:
- PM2.5 and PM10: These are fine particulate matter particles—PM2.5 is smaller than 2.5 micrometres, and PM10 is smaller than 10 micrometres. Both can penetrate deep into the lungs, affecting breathing and long-term health.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): High CO2 levels signal poor ventilation, which can make students feel drowsy or unfocused—a big deal in a learning environment.
- Temperature and Humidity: Extreme heat or humidity can make spaces uncomfortable and even trigger allergy symptoms in sensitive kids.
Outside the School: Ambient PM Monitor
One Ambient PM monitor was placed outdoors to measure:
- PM2.5 and PM10: These readings show the level of outdoor pollution, helping the school decide if it’s safe for recess, sports, or other outdoor activities. This outdoor data complements the indoor monitoring, giving ASB a complete picture of the air their students breathe.
- Temperature and Humidity: Extreme heat or humidity can make outdoor activities uncomfortable and even trigger allergy symptoms in sensitive kids. By tracking these, the school could confirm and plan the outdoor activities accordingly.
With 40 indoor monitors and one outdoor device, Prana Air ensured ASB had detailed, real-time insights into air quality across the entire campus.
Making Air Info Easy to Understand at the American School of Bombay:
Raw data alone isn’t helpful if it’s hard to interpret. Prana Air made sure ASB’s air quality information was user-friendly:
1. Simplified Indoor Readings:
Instead of overwhelming parents with 40 separate monitor readings, Prana Air combines the data into one average number for each campus. For example, if PM2.5 levels across all classrooms average 8 µg/m³ (well below unhealthy levels), that’s the number parents see.
2. Live Updates on the Website:
Data Representation
ASB aimed to display air quality data on their website to provide transparency and reassure parents about the school’s environment. Prana Air implemented the following:
- Data Averaging: The PM2.5 and PM10 readings from all 40 indoor monitors are averaged for each campus (elementary and secondary), providing a single, representative value for indoor air quality. This simplifies the data for easy interpretation.
- Personalized Website Display: Prana Air designed a customized, user-friendly interface for ASB’s website, integrating the averaged indoor data and outdoor AQI readings from the Ambient PM monitor. This tailored design aligns with the school’s branding and meets their requirement to showcase real-time air quality conditions effectively.
- Colour Codes: Green means good air, yellow means moderate, and red signals a problem—intuitive at a glance.
How The Solution Helped the School?
Prana Air’s solution brought tangible benefits to the American School of Bombay:
1. Validated Air Purification:
Real-time data from the Squair Lite monitors confirms the efficiency of the school’s purification system, ensuring that indoor air remains safe and clean for students and staff.
2. Enhanced Outdoor Safety:
The Ambient PM monitor provides critical insights into outdoor air quality, allowing the school to adjust schedules or take precautions when pollution levels spike, protecting students during outdoor activities.
3. Increased Transparency:
By displaying air quality data on their website, ASB fosters trust and confidence among parents and the community, showcasing their proactive approach to health and safety.
4. Empowered Decision-Making:
The detailed, accessible data empowers school administrators to make informed choices about air quality management, maintaining an optimal learning environment.
Why This Matters for All Schools
The partnership between ASB and Prana Air shows how air quality monitoring can transform schools, especially in polluted urban areas. It’s not just about gadgets—it’s about creating a healthier space where kids can thrive. Cleaner air means fewer sick days, sharper focus in class, and happier families. ASB’s success sets an example: with the right technology, schools can tackle air pollution head-on, ensuring students breathe easy while they learn and play.
