Castleisland Community College was recently invited to take part in the International Globe Air Quality Campaign to ascertain the air quality on the school grounds.
Levels of nitrogen oxide – which come from cars, buses, lorries etc-were assessed.
The air quality is graded according to figures with 0-10= low, 10-20=low to medium, 20-30= medium to high and 40+ = high.
Lowest Levels on School Grounds
The levels found on the school grounds were amongst the lowest recorded in the country – 5.17, 4.16 and 5.17.
These levels were in stark contrast to urban readings with high readings of over 40 found in Dublin. Students who suffer with asthma are certainly at risk when air pollution levels are so high.
Transition year students who form the Green School Committee, tested the air quality in three different locations around the school under the guidance of Green School Co-ordinator, Doreen Killington.
Assess Traffic-Related Pollution
One test tube was located near the road, another at the bus turning point and one at the back of the school away from traffic.
They were left for three weeks and afterwards the test tubes were sent back to a laboratory where the Globe county coordinator tested and rated the air quality of the three locations.
The Globe Air Quality Campaign is a science project to assess traffic-related air pollution at schools.
Environmental Datasets and Insights
This is an educational project designed to raise awareness about air pollution and showcase the potential of citizen science to gather unique datasets and insights into our environment.
The project is coordinated by the GLOBE Team Ireland, as part of the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce.
The school is one of 132 in Ireland taking part in the project and it’s an international project that has schools across Europe and the world taking part.
“Our results have certainly highlighted the beautiful pure air that we breath – Aer Úr Ciarraí,” said Ms. Killington.
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