Unexpected decision reduced student absences in Milan schools.

Air purification devices have been installed in school classrooms in Milan. This has led to an 11% reduction in absenteeism. The level of air pollution in the classrooms has also decreased by one third, and students have reported improvements in their respiratory health. This was reported by 'Glavkom', citing a presentation by scientists at the European Union Geosciences conference.

Poor air quality harms children's health, increasing the risk of respiratory infections, asthma, allergies, and cognitive impairments. This issue is particularly relevant in countries with low levels of development and urban areas where air pollution often exceeds the World Health Organization's air quality recommendations.

The study involved 95 classes with 2,000 students. Air purification devices were installed in half of the classes, while the rest remained without such devices.

The research showed that the installation of air purifiers reduced the average number of absences among students by 1.3 days per year. The greatest effect was observed among students who previously missed classes often, as well as among students who were not Italians. Air quality analysis revealed that the concentration of particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers decreased by 28% in classrooms with air purifiers.

'Our intervention also contributed to the improvement of respiratory health, increased awareness of air quality issues, and supported policies regarding urban air quality among the students who underwent treatment,' the scientists note.

However, researchers cannot yet definitively say whether the reduction in particulate matter or other allergens in the air contributed to the increase in attendance. Furthermore, the study did not have a control group studying in classrooms without air purifiers, so it is possible that the improvement in attendance is also linked to a psychological effect.

Nevertheless, this research may serve as the basis for the implementation and evaluation of measures to improve air quality in resource-limited educational institutions.

The issue of air pollution is relevant not only for children in schools but also for the entire population. Poor air quality can lead to the development of various diseases and shorten life expectancy. Therefore, it is important to focus on the development and implementation of air purification technologies, especially in urban areas where pollution is highest. This will help preserve people's health and improve the quality of life in these regions.