Better ventilation and filtration can help improve air quality in buildings — and better air quality can help decrease the spread of viruses (like flu and COVID-19). It can also help people with allergies and asthma.
Improve air quality in your program
The air inside your building can be improved by:
- Increasing the amount of outdoor air you bring into the space
- Improving the filtration of recirculated air
If you have a central HVAC system:
- Adjust the settings to bring a higher percentage of outdoor air into the system
- Upgrade the filters
If you don’t have a central HVAC system:
- Open windows or turn on exhaust fans to bring in more fresh air
- Use a stand-alone HEPA filtration unit to help remove pollen, dust, or other similar contaminants from room air
- Note that HEPA filters are unlikely to help with COVID-19
Learn more about air quality
- Check out Launching into Healthy Learning: Tips for Improving Ventilation in Your Child Care Program
- Watch the OEC webinar Risk Reduction in Child Care Programs — The Science and Art of Healthy Buildings
- The Harvard School of Public Health has information on healthy buildings
- Watch a recording of the Connecticut Department of Education webinar Guidance for the Cleaning and Disinfection of Schools during COVID-19
Last updated July 19, 2023