Beijing mulls installing air purifiers in schools
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E-mail Ecns.cn, January 21, 2016
Beijing's education authorities are drawing up standards for installing air purifiers in classrooms, a response to demands from parents, as the capital city is frequently shrouded by smog, Beijing Times reported.
Xian Lianping, director of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, said the commission is working with other departments on environmental protection, quality supervision, and development and reform to jointly lay out the standards, which need to be analyzed from multiple perspectives.
Preconditions are ensuring safety and winning consensus among parents, said Xian.
Air purifiers can work effectively in less crowded spaces, but the question of whether or not they will be effective in classroom environments requires professional assessment, Xian added.
Xian made the statement as the city's political advisors submitted proposals on how to deal with air pollution in schools.
Piao Zhe, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), called for measures such as reducing outdoor exercise time and the density of student gatherings.
Many parents have previously suggested that air purifiers be installed in classrooms, as they cannot take time off work to look after their children when schools close due to pollution. Some parents have even offered to pay for the purifiers, but no schools have accepted that solution.
Piao said education authorities should establish a special fund to combat smog and improve air quality in classrooms. Schools can also encourage private companies or other forces to help raise funds to install the equipment. In Beijing's Shijingshan district, all new or renovated schools will install air purifiers from this year, according to an education official in the district.
