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Lorena García and Yeray López, students of Chemistry of the University of Valencia and coordinators of the Assembly of Representatives participate in the development of an initiative of the COVID team of the Faculty to avoid the pollution in the classrooms caused by the presence of excessively high CO2 levels. On the occasion of COVID, at the beginning of this school year, these CO2 meters were implemented, a technology based on analysing the air to find out the concentration of CO2. Therefore, in the event that CO2 levels exceed the concentration of 800 ppm, the University has approved an action protocol based on opening doors and windows to ensure the health of students.
What does this technology consist of?
Non-dispersive IR spectroscopy is used. By irradiating the sample (air) with a polychromatic light beam, the analyte (CO2) absorbs in all its wavelengths, this causes the gas to heat up and increase the temperature along with the pressure. The radiation passes through two channels: one with clean air and another with the sample, there is a difference in pressure and this indicates the presence of CO2.
What improvement does this technology mean?
This technology has allowed us to know the CO2 levels in the classrooms, controlling this allows us to avoid high levels of possibly polluted air and in turn avoid a high number of infections.
“Controlling this allows us to avoid high levels of possibly polluted air and in turn avoid a high number of infections”
At the University of Valencia only your faculty has established this technology?
The installation of the sensors was an initiative of the Faculty of Chemistry to be able to control that there is an adequate ventilation. At first there was no research project, this came later. The University of Valencia is currently installing sensors, but this project has not yet been completed.
Do you think it is important that all colleges and universities install these meters? And other spaces like restaurants and supermarkets?
The rest of the faculties should implement it, because we have noticed that the number of cases in our faculty is quite low and taking this control can be one of the causes. In the same way as implementing it in other spaces to avoid a saturation of the possibly polluted air.
When COVID disappears, will this project remain in use?
The intention is to maintain these systems and projects as it has been shown that air quality is a factor to consider and with or without COVID it is important to have good air quality in classrooms.
Does it measure other parameters apart from the CO2 concentration?
No, our sensors only detect CO2.
Did you detect changes in pollution levels depending of the season?
I would not say that they are closely related, but there is a relation because for example in times of high temperatures you need to have windows and doors open to avoid so much heat, which indirectly causes more ventilation and air is more renewed.
Does the presence of the device make it possible to reduce ventilation in the classroom during cold weather?
Yes, the presence of the device allows us to take control and if it is very cold, we could close the windows slightly as long as the meter does not indicate that the concentration of CO2 in the air increases.
What is the CO2 concentration (ppm) at which you consider the air to be of poor quality? What would be the protocol if the concentration was exceeded to ensure good air quality?
The CO2 detector is programmed to emit an audible signal when it reaches a level of 800 ppm. The air with this load is still quality, but it has been taken as a limit to prevent it from reaching levels where the quality is already lower. The protocol to follow is to open windows and doors if one has not yet opened and if this is already done, evacuate students and the teacher out of the classroom for 5/10 minutes. It should be noted that this second measure did not have to be implemented, except when there were works outside and the gases from the work entered the classroom.
How did the idea that students participated in the control of CO2 meters come about?
They presented us with the idea and willing to improve the situation as it directly affects us we wanted to get involved in this action.
How long has this project been running?
Since the beginning of this academic year, we the students have been working side by side with the dean and the teachers to collect the data for this project.
“Since the beginning of this academic year, we the students have been working side by side with the dean and the teachers to collect the data for this project”
Has the fact that students participate in the control of the device led to greater involvement and awareness on the students’ part?
We think so, because as usual at the beginning, the students were not interested, but over time we have seen how even those who did not participate in the project have helped us.
In terms of use, is its use simple and accessible to everyone?
Yes, it is a very simple device that connects to light, programmable and to collect data is very simple as well. Its price is not high (if we look at it with the benefits it has), which makes it easier to buy.
How do you think scientific dissemination can help make this project more visible, which also has an environmental benefit?
We think that an attractive basic training on the operation and benefits of having and knowing how to interpret a CO2 sensor is indicated. Many classmates have not found it useful to have these sensors in class, but once they have been taught how they benefit us and what they are for, they are even encouraged to collaborate and participate in taking shows. It should also be adapted to many other areas from factories to shops and blockbusters. We need to understand that these devices are beneficial and give us information to improve our quality of life and this can be done by scientific dissemination. In addition, the dissemination of the project helps to raise awareness among students about the importance of good ventilation, not only in the COVID era but also when normalcy returns because in the end everyone is aware of the importance of good quality the indoor air.
