Clean air project brings health boost to two Inishowen Schools

A successful clean air initiative organised by Buncrana GP Dr Ciara Steele was marked this week with the presentation of a state-of-the-art air purifier to two Inishowen schools, highlighting growing awareness of the importance of indoor air quality for children’s health.

Scoil Naomh Bríd, Muff, and iCARE Buncrana received a Smart Air Blast air purifier, donated by Smart Air UK, during a visit attended by Minister Charlie McConalogue and South Inishowen Councillor Jack Murray. 

The event provided an opportunity to discuss the often-overlooked issue of the air we breathe indoors every day, particularly in busy classrooms and school halls.

Mr McConalogue expressed keen interest in the health impacts of poor air quality, especially for children in high-occupancy settings.

Research shows that air purifiers can significantly reduce pollutants such as pollen, mould, viruses, fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and volatile organic compounds (tVOCs). These pollutants can be measured using air quality monitors, giving schools valuable insight into their indoor environments.

Despite the fact that adults breathe approximately 15,000 times per day, and children up to 25,000 times, there are currently no formal standards for indoor air quality. Children inhale an estimated 11,000 litres of air daily, making clean air a vital but often underestimated health factor.

Fine particulate matter is of particular concern. These microscopic particles can lodge deep in the lungs, and the smallest bits can enter the bloodstream, affecting organs including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. Long-term exposure has been linked to heart disease, lung disease, and dementia, while in the short term, poor air quality can increase the spread of respiratory infections and exacerbate asthma.

During the visit to Scoil Naomh Bríd, air quality monitors showed carbon dioxide levels rising as people gathered in the room, then dropping rapidly when windows were opened to create a cross-draught, clearly demonstrating how ventilation and air filtration can improve indoor conditions. 

One classroom reported that five out of twenty pupils had asthma, reflecting national trends and reinforcing the importance of clean air in schools.

Scoil Naomh Bríd Principal Derek Foster welcomed the Smart Air Blast unit, noting that it is particularly effective in large spaces such as the school hall, where pupils often exercise indoors during poor weather. Staff and pupils quickly noticed the difference, with fresher, cleaner air evident as physical activity increased.

While Vice-Principal and teacher Miss McNally praised Rang Ceathair pupils for their imaginative artwork, explaining how air filters work. She described how deeply engaged the children were with the topic, sharing their views that “we want clean air so we don’t get sick” and that “it’s up to us to look after the world.” 

The pupils have since shown strong interest in citizen science projects to monitor air quality inside and outside their school.

Studies show that air purifiers can reduce school absence rates by up to 20% for both pupils and staff. In London, this evidence has led to the installation of air purifiers in over 200 schools, a move many parents and Dr Steele hope could one day be mirrored locally.

The Smart Air units are quiet, energy-efficient, and can be fitted with timer switches to support net-zero goals and keep electricity costs low.

At iCARE Buncrana, Niamh Clerkin accepted the donation from Minister McConalogue, noting not only the health benefits for pupils but also the positive sensory experience. The children decorated the unit with streamers and a rainbow to illustrate airflow and celebrate clean air.

The donation builds on previous student-led initiatives in Buncrana, including a DIY Corsi–Rosenthal box air filter built by Transition Year students at Scoil Mhuire. The dust collected in these filters offers a powerful visual reminder of the pollutants that would otherwise be inhaled in classrooms.

Clean air initiatives are particularly important for vulnerable groups, including children with underlying health conditions and those living in areas of deprivation, who may experience greater impacts from air pollution.

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Thanks were extended to Smart Air UK’s Sharon Isaac Upton, Minister Charlie McConalogue, Councillor Jack Murray, Principal Derek Foster, Vice-Principal Miss McNally, and the Board, parents, and staff of iCARE Buncrana, whose collective efforts made the day such a success.

The event was widely described as a positive and hopeful step towards healthier learning environments, placing clean air firmly on the agenda for schools and communities across Donegal.