Beyond CO2: Enhancing IAQ in Educational Institutions

Indoor Air Quality in Education: Beyond CO₂ – Advanced Solutions from GPS, Ebtron, and UV Resources

Why Indoor Air Quality in Schools Is About More Than CO₂

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a foundational element for healthy, productive, and resilient schools and universities. For decades, IAQ was often equated with the measurement and control of carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels. While CO₂ is a valuable indicator of ventilation adequacy and occupancy, it only scratches the surface of true IAQ management, which also encompasses volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), airborne pathogens, humidity, odors, temperature, and various other biological and chemical contaminants. Especially in K–12 and higher education settings, where students, staff, and visitors spend large portions of their lives indoors, poor IAQ can have sweeping consequences. These range from increased absenteeism and risk of illness to worsened academic performance, teacher retention challenges, and long-term health risks.

The urgency around IAQ has only grown in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic crystallizing the need for infection control in shared indoor spaces. However, limiting the view of IAQ to infection risk or CO₂ thresholds risks neglecting the cumulative effects of chemicals, particulates, moisture, and other threats5. As advanced measurement, filtration, disinfection, and smart monitoring technologies have reached new levels of sophistication, schools and universities now have access to a suite of tools that can combat IAQ challenges on multiple fronts. Three manufacturers, in particular—Global Plasma Solutions (GPS), Ebtron, and UV Resources—are at the vanguard, each contributing distinct and complementary technologies for comprehensive air quality management.

This blog explores the critical IAQ parameters for educational spaces and how state-of-the-art solutions from GPS, Ebtron, and UV Resources deliver measurable benefits well beyond basic CO₂ monitoring. Drawing on technical data, independent studies, and real-world examples, we’ll also examine how these solutions impact student health, absenteeism, and academic outcomes, along with key case studies highlighting successful implementation in K–12 schools and universities.

Key Indoor Air Quality Parameters and Their Importance in Schools

Educational buildings are among the highest-density indoor environments outside of healthcare and correctional facilities. Students, teachers, and support staff spend upwards of 6 to 10 hours a day in these spaces—equal to three years or more over a student’s career. A healthy classroom environment, therefore, depends on much more than just adequate fresh air exchange. The following parameters define a truly comprehensive approach to IAQ:

IAQ Parameter	Typical Sources in Schools	Health & Performance Impact	Monitoring/Control Solutions	Key Technology Suppliers
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)	Human exhalation, combustion	Indicator of ventilation rate; high levels impair cognition & decision-making	Direct measurement & outdoor air modulation	Ebtron
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)	Cleaning products, furnishings, building materials	Respiratory and neurological effects; trigger asthma; can cause headaches, fatigue, and even cancer	Ionization, filtration, and source elimination	GPS, UV Resources
Particulate Matter (PM2.5, PM10)	Outdoor air, resuspension, HVAC leakage, classroom activity	Aggravate asthma, reduce lung function, increase infection risk	Advanced filtration, real-time PM sensors, ionization	GPS, Ebtron
Pathogens (Viruses, Bacteria, Mold)	Infectious occupants, moisture/mold, recirculated air	Spread respiratory illness, increase absenteeism, impact energy and concentration	NPBI ionization, UV-C disinfection	GPS, UV Resources
Humidity (RH)	HVAC design/cycling, weather	Low RH favors virus survival; high RH leads to mold, discomfort	Active humidification/dehumidification, IAQ sensors	Ebtron, UV Resources
Temperature	HVAC control, solar gain	Learning, comfort, performance	Dedicated sensors, feedback into HVAC controls	Ebtron, Multiple
Odors	VOCs, poor ventilation, food, chemicals	Discomfort, distraction	Ionization, ventilation, local exhaust	GPS

Table 1: Critical IAQ parameters in educational settings and associated technologies for measurement and improvement.

Each parameter contributes uniquely to the overall health environment. For example, while CO₂ is primarily an indirect measure of occupancy and ventilation, PM and VOCs reflect chemical and physical pollutants with independent health impacts. Pathogen presence is tied to both source control and airborne transmission risks, which became especially relevant during the pandemic.

Standards and Guidelines Governing IAQ in Schools and Universities

Educational institutions must comply with a host of regulations and guidelines that go beyond simple air change rate mandates. Two organizations provide primary benchmarks in the United States:

ASHRAE Standards

• ASHRAE 62.1 (Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality): Defines minimum ventilation rates by space type; for classrooms, typically recommends 10–15 cfm per person and ~0.12 cfm per square foot.

• ASHRAE 170: Focuses on healthcare settings, but its principles are increasingly applied by schools seeking infection-resilient spaces, especially regarding high air change rates and pressurization.

• ASHRAE and filtration: Recommends minimum MERV 13 for new installations in many educational and healthcare settings, with higher levels for critical spaces.

• ASHRAE 241: Recently introduced to provide a framework for "Equivalent Clean Airflow"—a blend of outdoor air, filtration, and active disinfection technologies, including both UV-C and ionization, to meet health and energy efficiency targets.

EPA and State Guidelines

• EPA IAQ Tools for Schools: A comprehensive resource kit, widely adopted, that addresses measurement, control measures (filtration, exhaust, cleaning protocols), and staff training. Its checklists and frameworks are considered gold standards for assessing and improving IAQ.

While both agencies recognize CO₂ as an essential metric, their deeper guidance emphasizes control of all contaminants: particulates, bioaerosols, VOCs, temperature, humidity, pressurization, and more.

Rethinking CO₂: Why It’s Not Enough

CO₂ concentration has long been used as a proxy for IAQ and ventilation adequacy. However, modern research demonstrates that relying on CO₂ alone is risky—even misleading—for several reasons:

• CO₂ as an indirect measure: While high CO₂ implies inadequate ventilation, normal CO₂ does not guarantee safe levels of particulates, VOCs, or pathogens.

• Unique emission profiles: Particulate and chemical pollutants may surge during specific activities (science labs, cleaning, lunch periods) with little change in CO₂.

• Delayed response in traditional CO₂-DCV (Demand Control Ventilation): Systems that modulate outdoor air solely based on CO₂ risk significant lag times and unrecognized spikes in other pollutant concentrations.

• Energy and comfort trade-offs: Attempting to minimize outdoor air merely to maintain “safe” CO₂ can undermine comfort, learning, and pathogen resilience.

Advanced practice now calls for direct outdoor air measurement and active real-time control using technology such as thermal dispersion airflow sensors (see Ebtron, below) in addition to, not in place of, CO₂ monitoring.

Advanced IAQ Technologies: Addressing the Full Spectrum of Air Quality

1. Global Plasma Solutions (GPS): Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI™)

How GPS’s NPBI™ Works:   Unlike legacy ionization systems, GPS Air’s NPBI™ employs a patented “soft ionization” process that generates millions of positive and negative ions within supply air streams or rooms. These ions:

• Bind to particles (PM, pollen, smoke), causing agglomeration and easier capture in filters;

• React with surface proteins of viruses and bacteria, rapidly inactivating them by disrupting molecular bonds (notably reducing the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, influenza, RSV, and other pathogens more than 99% in minutes);

• Break down VOCs and odors into harmless gases like O₂, CO₂, and water vapor;

• Operate without harmful byproducts—key models certified ozone-free to UL 2998 and UL 867 standards.

Key Performance Data from GPS:

Pathogen	Time in Chamber	Reduction Rate
SARS-CoV-2	30 min	99.4%
Norovirus	30 min	93.5%
MRSA	30 min	96.2%
E. coli	15 min	99.7%
Legionella	30 min	99.7%

Table 2: Independent validation of pathogen reduction through GPS NPBI™ technology (summary from multiple studies).

Peer-reviewed validation: Recent studies published in journals such as PLOS ONE confirm that in large chamber, real-world viral loads, airborne infectivity of viruses was reduced up to 99.98% using GPS’s NPBI devices—performance corroborated in real school and university installations.

Additional features:

• No ozone or harmful byproducts (UL 2998 certified)

• Low energy usage (typically <5W)

• Synergizes with existing filtration (enhances effective MERV rating of standard filters via agglomeration effect)

• Suitable for integration in all major HVAC retrofits and new construction

• Installed in over 1,000 K–12 schools, higher education buildings (including those of the White House, University of Miami Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, NY Presbyterian, and Tulane).

Real-World Application in Education:   A K–12 district in Sioux Falls installed high-tech ionizing air filtration systems using GPS after receiving federal COVID-19 relief funding. The technology was deployed in 37 buildings, improving IAQ without ozone or energy penalties.

Regulatory Context and Safety:   When considering bipolar ionization, the EPA strongly recommends devices meeting UL 2998 “zero ozone” standards and stresses that testing and maintenance are critical for real-world effectiveness—criteria that GPS devices satisfy and promote.

2. Ebtron: Airflow Measurement for Reliable Ventilation and IAQ Validation

The Ebtron Difference:   Maintaining healthy, code-compliant IAQ in educational settings demands precision in ventilation. Ebtron’s core technology, thermal dispersion airflow measurement, provides direct, continuous, real-time measurement of airflows in outdoor air intakes, supply ducts, and exhausts. The result is:

• Accurate control of ventilation rates, critical to maintaining correct dilution and building pressurization.

• Documentation of compliance with ASHRAE 62.1, LEED, and other codes.

• Risk minimization for moisture-related mold, negative pressurization, and energy waste.

Technical Overview:

• Uses multiple bead-in-glass thermistor probes for highly accurate, NIST-traceable measurements (±2% of reading typical; full systems NIST certified);

• No field calibration required (plug and play, with onboard diagnostics and Bluetooth service for easy commissioning);

• Not subject to turbulence or pressure-flow non-linearities that often compromise Pitot-based and pressure-differential devices;

• Sensors are robust against humidity, temperature changes, and ductwork installation nuances.

Application Benefits in Schools:

• Enables reliable demand-control ventilation: Integration with CO₂ sensors, occupancy sensing, or population tracking for dynamic, occupancy-adjusted ventilation;

• Supports direct measurement strategies now emphasized by ASHRAE to ensure genuine outdoor airflow;

• Ensures stable, positive pressurization—essential for avoiding mold and infiltration.

Impact on Student Outcomes:

• Literature shows that simply increasing ventilation from substandard to code-compliant levels (e.g., from <7 cfm/pupil to 15 cfm/pupil and beyond) can boost standardized test performances by 2.7–2.9% per 2.1 cfm increase; cognitive speed can improve as much as 8%;

• Case studies (e.g., schools using Ebtron’s GTx116e series) confirmed improved air change rates, better occupancy comfort, lower absenteeism, and improved staff retention.

System Integration:

• Factory-calibrated, with BACnet/IP, BACnet MS/TP, Modbus, and analog outputs for seamless connection to Building Automation Systems (BAS);

• Bluetooth-enabled for simple diagnostics and verification;

• Compatible with packaged damper assemblies and dedicated outdoor air (DOAS) units, easing retrofits on aging school HVAC systems.

Case Example:

• School districts such as Boston Public and Denver Public Schools have publicly invested in district-wide, real-time IAQ monitoring and management (Ebtron and similar sensor platforms) for transparency, accountability, and intervention targeting.

3. UV Resources: Germicidal UV-C for Pathogen Deactivation

UV-C Fundamentals:   Ultraviolet-C (UVC) light, especially at 253.7 nanometers, is a proven germicidal method for deactivating viruses, bacteria, and fungi in air, on surfaces, and within HVAC coils. UV Resources designs advanced, energy-efficient UV-C systems for both airstream and “upper-room” disinfection—a technology strongly endorsed by ASHRAE and the CDC for infection control in schools.

How It Works:

• UV-C photons disrupt DNA/RNA bonds, preventing microbes from replicating. Changing the geometry, reflectors, and airflow can optimize “dose”; the pathogen inactivation usually follows an exponential curve (i.e., higher dose → higher log reduction).

• Pathogen susceptibility varies, with viruses generally being more easily inactivated than bacterial spores.

Efficacy Data:

• SARS-CoV-2: ≥99.9% inactivation achievable with proper dose and exposure; typical HVAC installations achieve a 3 to 5 log (99.9–99.999%) reduction at recommended fluence levels within minutes;

• Airborne infection control: Upper-room UV-C fixtures (e.g., GLO 150) have been shown to add an equivalent of 10–16 ACH (air changes per hour) in occupied spaces—a significant supplement to mechanical ventilation;

• Studies show that UV treatment of air in schools and colleges contributes to declines in reported absenteeism for respiratory illness, and can improve general health outcomes.

Practical Implementation:

• HVAC coil and airstream UV-C systems: Prevent microbial growth on coils, maintain heat exchange efficiency, and disinfect circulated air;

• Upper-room UVGI: Allows for efficient disinfection in settings with high occupancy density, such as cafeterias, gyms, classrooms, and university common areas, without exposing occupants directly to UV light;

• Rapid inactivation: Most microbes are killed in under a second as room air circulates through the upper UV-C zone and as contaminated air passes HVAC UV fixtures.

Case Example: Schenectady County Community College   A mixed-use campus of approximately 6,500 students saw major installation of UV-C units in cafeterias, daycare, and common areas. Facilities director called the investment a “no brainer” due to the evident link between absenteeism, infection risk, and retention—backed by the performance guarantee and low operating cost of UV Resources units.

Guidance and Endorsements:

• The CDC and Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security both recommend UV-C as an evidence-based “engineering control” for infection and pandemic risk reduction in schools.

• ASHRAE’s latest guidance specifically calls for UV-C in recirculated air paths, nurse suites, and as a supplement in high-density or inadequately ventilated areas.

• UV installations can be covered by federal relief funds (CARES, ESSER) and are approved for pandemic resilience in school infrastructure funding programs.

Comparative Analysis of IAQ Technology Solutions

IAQ Challenge / Parameter	Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (GPS)	Airflow Measurement (Ebtron)	UV-C Disinfection (UV Resources)
Pathogen Control (Airborne)	✓ (continuous, in-room, all spaces)	(Indirect, by dilution only)	✓ (direct kill, in-room/HVAC)
Particle/PM Removal	✓ (aids filtration, agglomeration)	(No direct removal; enables correct ventilation)	(Limited, not for particles)
VOC/Odor Reduction	✓ (ion chemistry degrades VOCs, odors)	(No)	Partial (some effect at high doses)
Airflow & Compliance	(No direct measure)	✓ (direct outdoor air, real-time)	(No direct measure)
Humidity Control	(No)	(Helps via correct pressure)	(No)
Surface Disinfection	(Indirect, through deposition)	(No)	✓ (for unit and coil treatment)
Integration/Automation	Yes, via BAS integration	Yes, via advanced BAS protocols	Yes, on/off, dose control
Certifications	UL 867/2998, ISO 9001	NIST-traceable, BACnet, multiple UL	UL 2998 (for some units), ASHRAE, IUVA

Table 3: Comparative performance of IAQ technologies by principal function

What emerges is complementarity: GPS is best for continuous, space-wide particle and contaminant remediation; Ebtron for verifying and maintaining the correct amount of outdoor air to dilute all contaminants and for compliance/auditing; UV Resources for targeted, rapid inactivation of pathogens in the air handling system or shared occupied spaces.

IAQ Impact on Student Health, Absenteeism, and Academic Performance

Health and Attendance

Poor IAQ is directly linked to a wide range of health issues in both children and adults in school settings:

• Asthma and allergies: Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic illness, with mold, allergens, and particulates key triggers.

• Respiratory infection: Higher ventilation rates and pathogen control technologies reduce infection rates—critical for maintaining attendance, especially in cold and flu seasons or during pandemics.

• General illness and fatigue: VOCs, high CO₂, and high PM are associated with headaches, nausea, tiredness, and reduced productivity.

  
  

A new case study from the American Lung Association and a Minnesota charter school tracked IAQ metrics, absenteeism, and academic data before and after upgrades, finding that clean air investments led to improved attendance and reported health outcomes for both students and staff. Notably, student absentee rates correlated most strongly with periods of higher PM2.5 and VOCs.

Academic Performance

The relationship between IAQ and academic achievement is robust and quantitatively significant:

• A U.S. study of 100 classrooms found that for every 2.1 cfm per student increase in outside air ventilation, standardized math test pass rates increased by nearly 3% and reading by 2.7%, after controlling for socioeconomic and school-level effects.

• Other research shows an 8% or greater increase in the speed of academic task completion with a doubling of ventilation rates in classrooms; significant improvements even occur simply by bringing classrooms up to code- or best-practice levels when initial conditions are sub-standard.

• EPA analyses show that schools with better physical and environmental conditions—including air quality—report higher teacher retention and lower student dropout rates.

Improvement strategies that only address CO₂ may leave significant cognitive and health benefits “on the table.” Addressing the full suite of IAQ factors is essential for maximizing student potential.

Implementation Barriers and Solutions in K–12 and Higher Education

Common Barriers

1. Aging infrastructure: Many school buildings (over 50%) have outdated or insufficient HVAC and ventilation systems, compounding IAQ risks.

2. Budget and resource constraints: Educational institutions often struggle to prioritize funding for wellness and IAQ upgrades, especially with other facilities needs competing for limited dollars.

3. Complexity and awareness: Not all staff, administrators, or parents have sufficient knowledge of IAQ best practices or the available technology solutions.

4. Lack of uniform guidelines: State and local policies vary, and mandates are often insufficient or only cover minimal compliance.

5. Operational limitations: Monitoring, maintenance, filter changes, and system balancing require ongoing attention and trained personnel, which may be lacking.

   
   

Overcoming Barriers

• Federal grant programs (CARES, ESSER, ARP, etc.) have provided unprecedented funding for pandemic resilience, with IAQ qualifying as an infrastructure improvement under most rules.

• Integrative solutions: Choosing multi-modal strategies—such as layering GPS NPBI for ongoing pathogen and odor control with Ebtron measurement for code compliance and UV Resources for “catch-all” pathogen control in high-risk spaces—maximizes risk reduction within available budgets.

• Transparency and data: Real-time dashboard reporting of IAQ metrics (as piloted in Boston and Denver public schools) supports data-driven decisions and community trust.

  
  

The Future of IAQ Monitoring and Control: Smart and Integrated Approaches

Next-generation IAQ management in education draws together several trends:

• Real-time, networked sensor suites: Integrated platforms for CO₂, PM2.5, TVOCs, RH/temp, and even direct pathogen/ion concentration tracking give facilities teams unprecedented insights.

• Automated feedback into HVAC controls: Demand control, setpoint adjustment, system scheduling, and alerts tied directly to sensor data allow dynamic, efficient, and health-focused operation.

• AI-enabled optimization: As seen in pilot studies, AI-driven algorithms can adjust ventilation, filtration, UV-C dosage, and ionization in response to fluctuating load, occupancy, and outside air conditions, improving both energy performance and IAQ.

• Stakeholder engagement: Secure, public-facing dashboards build trust, while parent, teacher, and student engagement increases compliance and encourages practical interventions (e.g., reducing sources of VOCs, improving behavior around filtration or cleaning practices).

• Sustainable design: Efforts now emphasize not only the removal of indoor pollutants but also minimizing the introduction of new sources (low-VOC materials, biophilic design, improved cleaning protocols), with an eye on both student wellness and environmental justice

  .

Conclusion: Toward Healthier Learning Through Comprehensive Air Quality Solutions

Indoor air quality is now recognized as a multi-dimensional challenge—one that is inseparable from student health, classroom productivity, and learning achievement. Limiting an IAQ strategy to CO₂ monitoring alone fails to address the true needs of 21st-century educational facilities.

Modern solutions from manufacturers such as Global Plasma Solutions, Ebtron, and UV Resources now enable schools and universities to achieve:

• Proven and independent-verified pathogen reduction (including COVID-19 and flu) via both NPBI and UV-C;

• Continuous, direct measurement and control of true outdoor air ventilation and pressurization through precision airflow sensors and digital BACnet integration;

• Dramatic reductions in particulates, VOCs, and odors while avoiding harmful byproducts or wasteful energy consumption;

• Comprehensive compliance with the latest ASHRAE, EPA, and CDC recommendations on healthy buildings and infection resilience;

• Robust, transparent, and data-rich environments where facilities teams, students, faculty, and families alike benefit.

The future of healthy learning is bright, but only if we look beyond basic metrics and implement holistic, layered approaches. With current technology and funding, every classroom can become a safe, resilient, and high-performance learning environment.

If you’re a facilities director, administrator, or concerned parent, now is the time to demand more than “just CO₂” from your school’s air quality program—and to partner with expert reps for deployment of GPS, Ebtron, and UV Resources solutions. For a deeper, safer, smarter IAQ strategy, these technologies represent the gold standard.

For tailored recommendations, technical support, or live demonstrations on GPS NPBI™, Ebtron airflow systems, and UV Resources UV-C disinfection, contact us today!

Sources

• sites.bu.edu

  The state of indoor air quality programs in K-12 schools in the U.S ...

• www.epa.gov

  Reference Guide for Indoor Air Quality in Schools | US EPA

• www.epa.gov

  Evidence from Scientific Literature about Improved Academic Performance

• www.lung.org

  As Students Go Back to School, New Study Highlights the Importance of ...

• cleanair.camfil.us

  Overcoming Barriers to Healthy Indoor Air Quality in K-12 Schools

• www.mdpi.com

  Improving Indoor Air Quality in a Higher-Education Institution ... - MDPI

• studylib.net

  ASHRAE 62.1-2022: Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality Standard

• www.ashrae.org

  Design Guidance for Education Facilities: - ASHRAE

• knowledgelibrary.ifma.org

  Darryl DeAngelis Archives - IFMA Knowledge Library

• www.epa.gov

  How Does Indoor Air Quality Impact Student Health and Academic Performance?

• www.jstor.org

  Prevalence and Implementation of IAQ Programs in U.S. Schools

• ebtron.com

  Student Performance in K-12 Schools - EBTRON

• ebtron.com

  IAQ in IAQ by Design - EBTRON

• gpsair.com

  GPS Air | New Peer Reviewed Published Study Press Release

• www.eurekalert.org

  Airborne virus infectivity can be reduced by | EurekAlert!

• www.1901inc.com

  Global Plasma Solutions - 1901 INC

• gpsair.com

  Grow Facility GPS Air Case Study

• factsaboutcleanerindoorair.com

  Home - Global Plasma Solutions

• www.epa.gov

  Can air cleaning devices that use bipolar ionization, including ...

• www.ats-hvac.com

  Ebtron — Advanced Thermal Solutions, LLC

• eip-hvac.com

  EBTRON EBT - eip-hvac.com

• ebtron.com

  Thermal Dispersion Technology - EBTRON

• aap-kc.com

  EBTRON Air Flow Measurement Devices - Associated Air Products

• www.automatedbuildings.com

  AutomatedBuildings.com Article - Airflow Measurement for HVAC Systems ...

• iaqscience.lbl.gov

  Ventilation Rates and School Performance | Indoor Air

• www.uvresources.com

  -C -B A - uvresources.com

• www.light-sources.com

  UV-C Disinfection Explained: How Germicidal Light Destroys Bacteria ...

• www.uvresources.com

  Boosting School Ventilation Rates with Germicidal UV

• facilitymanagement.com

  UV Resources' Germicidal UV-C Fixture Kills Airborne Viruses and ...

• www.frontiersin.org

  Frontiers | Assessment of the anti-biofilm effect of UV-C irradiation ...

• ardenultraviolet.com

  UV-C Dose Requirements to Kill Bacteria and Viruses

• ashpublications.org

  UV-C Irradiation: Virus Inactivation in Fibrinogen Concentrate ...

• www.epa.gov

  How Does Indoor Air Quality Impact Student Health and Academic ...

• www.lung.org

  Breathe Easier, Learn Better: A Data-Driven Approach to Healthy School ...

• uvresources.com

  The Opportunity to Transform School IAQ - UV Resources

• link.springer.com

  Do Plants Improve Indoor Air Quality? Myth or Reality? A ... - Springer