Indoor Air Quality and COVID-19 Transmission in the Classroom Setting

It is a known scientific fact that indoor transmission of COVID-19 is very significant compared to the outdoor setting. Even so, the ease of transmission depends on several factors including the strain of the virus. Until we reach herd immunity, mask-wearing, social distancing, decreased indoor occupancy and vaccination will continue play significant roles in the effort to curb the transmission of COVID-19. Furthermore, with mutation and the presence of new viral strains, break through infection still occurs among the vaccinated. With this in mind, the role of indoor environment in the transmission of COVID-19 becomes imperative as the global effort towards vaccination continues. Social distancing can be challenging overall in the classroom setting, making indoor air quality one of the contributing factors in an effort to slow down the spread of the virus. Sick building syndrome (SBS) is one indicator of probable suboptimal indoor air quality that affects some individuals that spend substantial amount of time in a building including classrooms. In order to assess indoor air quality in the classroom, we will measure two parameters, carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matters (PM 2.5 and 10.0) in the classrooms.Furthermore, a questionnaire will be used to collect data on student and faculty experiences as it concerns COVID-19 precautions, knowledge, behavior, and air quality-related health effects in the classroom environment.In conclusion, we will use data collected from the questionnaire and measured parameters as pointers to the overall air quality and assess the potential roles in COVID-19 transmission in the classroom.