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The Effect of Air Purifiers in Schools

Author

Listed:
  • Bonan, Jacopo
  • Granella, Francesco
  • Renna, Stefania
  • Sarmiento, Luis
  • Tavoni, Massimo

Abstract

We randomize the installation of air purifiers across primary school classrooms to reduce children’s exposure to air pollution. The intervention reduces indoor PM₂.₅ concentrations by 32% and decreases student absenteeism by 12.5%. Effects are larger among students with higher pre-treatment absenteeism. The impact is greater when outdoor air pollution is relatively low and diminishes as outdoor pollution intensifies, consistent with non-linear marginal effects of air quality on health. The treatment students report fewer respiratory symptoms and exhibit greater awareness of air quality. The cost per absence day avoided is approximately € 11, resulting in a conservative cost-benefit ratio of one-to-nine.JEL codes: C93, I21, Q53, Q51Keywords: Indoor air quality, air purifiers, school absences, randomized controlled trial

Suggested Citation

  • Bonan, Jacopo & Granella, Francesco & Renna, Stefania & Sarmiento, Luis & Tavoni, Massimo, 2025. "The Effect of Air Purifiers in Schools," RFF Working Paper Series 25-17, Resources for the Future.
    • Handle: RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-25-17
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    File URL: https://www.rff.org/documents/4900/WP_25-17.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    indoor air quality; air purifiers; school absences; randomized controlled trial;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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