Tackling Air Pollution at School

The future health of our nation and indeed all human society depends on educating children in healthy environments. The Tackling Air Pollution at School (TAPAS) network focuses on that vulnerable section of every society and to bring together interdisciplinary expertise to address the problem of air quality in schools.

The project’s vision is to create and develop a menu of options that can be introduced into schools to provide an environment free of pollutants and in harmony with nature so that children have a fulfilling and healthy educational experience. These products need to be effective, inexpensive and, where possible, educational: i.e. they should involve the children in an understanding of their environment and provide them with an opportunity to engage with it in social, scientific and behavioural terms.

The interdisciplinary team consists of experts in indoor and outdoor pollution, air pollution modelling, data science, building design and ventilation, education, social behaviour and health impacts. This will allow the network to address the critical issues associated with pollution in schools by offering a menu of solutions. It also proposes to include a significant educational component so that pupils will learn about the impacts of poor air quality and take this knowledge with them as they grow up, thereby producing a lasting change in society.