The quality of the air that children breathe every day in kindergartens, schools, and other educational institutions has a direct impact on their health, concentration, and ability to learn. This is why the European initiative JARED (Joint Action on Chronic Respiratory Diseases) has published new guidelines aimed at improving indoor air quality and reducing the risk of asthma.
Funded by the European Union, the JARED project aims to support EU Member States in the prevention, early detection, and more effective management of chronic respiratory diseases. Among these, asthma is one of the most common conditions affecting children, with air quality being a key factor influencing both the frequency and severity of symptoms.
Why is air quality in schools so important?
Children spend a significant amount of time indoors. If the air in these environments contains particulate matter, mould, volatile organic compounds, allergens, or other pollutants, it can lead to:
- an increased risk of developing respiratory diseases;
- more frequent asthma attacks in children with asthma;
- irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat;
- reduced concentration and lower academic performance;
- more absences due to illness.
A good indoor environment not only supports health but also creates more comfortable conditions for learning and working, benefiting both students and teaching staff.
What do the new European guidelines recommend?
According to JARED experts, significant improvements can be achieved through relatively simple organisational and technical measures. These include:
- regular and effective ventilation of indoor spaces;
- continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels, humidity, and temperature;
- timely removal of moisture and mould;
- use of cleaning products with low emissions of harmful substances;
- limiting the entry of outdoor pollutants through proper ventilation planning;
- regular maintenance of ventilation and air-conditioning systems;
- development of healthy indoor environment policies in every educational institution.
A shared responsibility
The new guidelines emphasise that improving air quality is a shared responsibility among:
- directors and managers of kindergartens and schools;
- technical staff and maintenance personnel;
- teachers;
- school healthcare professionals;
- parents.
Through informed decisions regarding both indoor and outdoor environments, exposure of children and staff to harmful pollutants can be significantly reduced.
An investment in the future
Improving air quality is not merely a technical measure – it represents an investment in the health, development, and well-being of future generations. Cleaner air means healthier children, fewer school absences, better concentration, and a higher quality of the educational process.
An increasing number of European policies are placing indoor air quality among the key priorities of public health. The JARED guidelines provide a practical framework that can be applied in both new and existing educational buildings.
More information about the JARED project and the published guidelines can be found on the official website: Deliverable D5.1 Achieved – A review on indoor environments and children’s respiratory health - JARED
Key topics: air quality, indoor air, asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, schools, kindergartens, healthy learning environment, European Union, prevention, public health.
