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An invisible problem solved by the school

An invisible problem solved by the school

13 Apr 2022

Enskilda Gymnasiet is located in central Stockholm, right next to Tegnérlunden Park. This is where Jonas Persson is IT and Purchasing Manager. In early 2020, he was curious about how sick leave and health could be improved with a better indoor climate. So shortly thereafter, the school was on its way to evaluate LightAir Health+, even before the pandemic struck.

Traffic pollution in central Stockholm makes life difficult for the school, especially for students and staff with asthma, allergies and respiratory problems. In the spring, pollen season adds to the problem, with many getting symptoms similar to severe colds. Even those who only have moderate respiratory problems become tired and perform poorly. In addition to this, seasonal influenzas come calling at the school’s door every year.

Jonas Persson tried several different ways to create a healthier school environment, and explored many solutions, large and small, in his search for the right one.

Indoor air was the biggest challenge and Jonas realized that it needed to be significantly improved. During a meeting with a FM-partner, they started talking about indoor air quality and air purifiers.

“He recommended LightAir’s technology. I always want to see evidence and the technology had been tested by the Karolinska Institute for seven years. Based on the results of that study, I decided to give it a try.”

Jonas is allergic to dust and pollen, and is even sensitive to particles given off by computers.

“An air purifier in my office helped my respiratory problems almost immediately. I felt better at work than I did at home or in our place in the country.”

Other air purifiers were installed in a classroom, as well as in an office shared by two teachers. Both teachers have asthma and respiratory problems, and are sensitive to all kinds of small particles. Their room also had an odor of smoke that settled in their clothes. A carbon ventilation filter didn’t help. Spanish teacher Fabio Moreno is an asthmatic and is particularly sensitive to dust and smoke.

“I can feel the difference in the air, not just a little bit, but on a huge level. And the smell of smoke is gone.”

Fabio shares the room with Sara Frankhammar, who also experienced an improvement in her daily working environment.

“When I began working here, the sneezing attacks started and ‘something’ disturbed my airways. Now it is much better… I have less respiratory trouble and much less sneezing.”

Unaware that a global pandemic would soon change everyone’s view of clean air, Jonas also decided to supplement the air purifiers with LightAir’s virus inhibitors.

“The air purifier filters out all particles – including viruses – while the virus inhibitor attacks the virus directly in the air. It emits millions of negatively charged ions every second and neutralizes the virus. When we tried it, it hadn’t yet been tested regarding Covid, but now it has been.”

In consultation with the principal, Jonas had thirty LightAir Health+ packages installed, which include air purifiers and virus inhibitors. He thinks that clean air, free from particles and viruses, is a strong argument when they market Enskilda Gymnasiet to prospective students and parents.

“The air purifiers and virus inhibitors are barely audible, not even when the rooms are empty. And they draw so little power that we don’t have to turn them on and off.”

Jonas is also happy with the hassle-free subscription approach, where LightAir takes care of everything.

“I believe that the virus inhibitors can reduce students’ and staff’s colds and seasonal illnesses in the future. And if a SARS variant appears, it feels safe to have LightAir in place.”

Healthy, inclusive classrooms with proven technology

There are many kinds of microbes and small particles in the air, from pollen and viruses to mold and bacteria, but also harmful particles from traffic, printers and computers. High levels of particles accumulate in the body and make us more susceptible to infections.

Once the pollen season starts, problems increase. Many go to school as usual, but the students and teachers who are affected find themselves performing a little worse. Students experience reduced capabilities during important national exams, which affects final grades. Likewise, the common flu and winter vomiting disease hit parts of the school every winter.

At Enskilda Gymnasiet, thirty packages with LightAir Health+ are currently installed under subscriptions. The air purifiers and virus inhibitors are installed in the ceilings where no one can accidentally turn them off or damage them. The subscription service means that no one at the school has to think about maintenance, filter changes or guarantees.