Delhi Schools Fight Toxic Air: Inside Elite Classrooms

As Delhi grapples with extreme air pollution, with AQI frequently exceeding 400, elite private schools are investing in sophisticated air purification technologies to protect students. Classrooms are equipped with systems like 'YOGa Clean Air Bubble' that combine ventilation and filtration, while teachers actively monitor PM2.5 and CO2 levels. Schools have implemented stringent Standard Operating Procedures, suspending outdoor activities when air quality deteriorates to 'poor' or 'very poor' levels.

Experts advocate for filtered ventilation over air purifiers, citing potential CO2 buildup in sealed classrooms. Some parents have taken personal initiatives, like removing their children from school during peak pollution seasons due to health concerns. Studies indicate significant respiratory issues among Delhi's adolescents, with exposure levels compared to smoking multiple cigarettes daily.

Despite these protective measures in a few select institutions, the majority of students in Delhi and surrounding areas, particularly those in government and less affluent private schools, remain unprotected. These schools often lack the resources for advanced air filtration, forcing students to attend classes amidst hazardous air conditions, with some teachers resorting to sending students out of classrooms when they exhibit symptoms.