Safeguarding Students: Tackling Indoor Air Quality Challenges Amid Los Angeles Wildfires
Wildfires in Los Angeles County have scorched over 40,000 acres, destroying more than 12,000 structures, displacing entire communities, and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. These wildfires serve as another reminder of the compounding impacts of climate change on existing environmental hazards. A less visible effect is the impact of wildfire smoke on Southern California’s children at school. Here, we examine that impact and provide practical resources for parents and schools to take action to safeguard children.
Among the more pressing concerns is the deteriorating air quality during wildfire smoke events. The current strong Santa Ana winds have pushed smoke from wildfires, combined with industrial emissions and urban pollution, into nearby and distant communities, putting millions at risk.
This polluted air spreads not just visible smoke but also a cocktail of toxic particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs, posing significant health risks. Children are especially vulnerable due to their higher air intake relative to body weight and the ongoing development of their lungs. Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory issues, reduced lung function, and long-term health complications.
The risks are compounded by the challenges of indoor air quality in educational environments — early studies have shown that only 15% of schools in California met ventilation standards. Students spend a significant portion of their day in schools, making these settings critical for health interventions. Even within the same school district, ventilation rates can vary widely, further exacerbating health disparities among students. Addressing this ventilation gap is crucial for safeguarding the health of our children and ensuring equitable learning environments.
The Worsening Air Quality Crisis in Los Angeles
Over the past week, smoke plumes from the ongoing wildfires blanketed the region, bringing hazardous levels of particulate matter, harmful gases, and other contaminants. Northeasterly winds carried these fine particles across dozens of miles, affecting areas from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Catalina Island. Public dashboards like Purple Air and OpenAQ offer real-time air quality updates, enabling LA residents and the wider public to monitor conditions closely. Below is an example screenshot of the Purple Air sensor readings captured on January 9, 2025.
LAUSD’s Response: Monitoring Outdoor Air to Protect Schools
Recognizing the need to protect students and staff, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) established the Know Your Air Network, a system of 200 Clarity Node-S outdoor air quality sensors deployed across the district’s 710 square miles. Access to localized air quality data is crucial for making informed decisions about school closures and operational guidelines. In response to air quality readings that consistently exceeded the federal daily limit of 35 micrograms per cubic meter, LAUSD and other nearby school districts closed their campuses last week, disrupting education for more than 600,000 students in the Los Angeles area. We previously explored the equity challenges of such closures, as students have differing access to resources like air purifiers or clean air shelters. Below, we present sensor data from four LAUSD schools, illustrating how air quality has frequently ranged from ‘unhealthy’ to ‘hazardous,’ far surpassing federal limits.
Indoor Air Quality Sensors: Helping Schools Prioritize Ventilation and Filtration Upgrades
The hazardous outdoor air quality caused by wildfire smoke has severe implications for indoor environments, particularly in schools. As smoke infiltrates buildings, the quality of indoor air can deteriorate rapidly, making it just as harmful as outdoor conditions. To address this, school districts are leveraging real-time indoor air quality data to identify ventilation vulnerabilities and take targeted protective measures.
At the Climate and Energy Policy Program (CEPP), we’ve deployed low-cost sensors in K-12 schools across California to monitor and compare indoor and outdoor air quality during wildfire smoke events and over the long term, where other chronic sources of pollution are also significant factors. By gathering real-time data, we aim to better understand how outdoor air infiltrates indoor spaces, identify schools and classrooms at the greatest risk, and develop targeted solutions to protect students from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke and other pollutants.
The chart below offers a snapshot of our findings, illustrating how particulate matter levels and infiltration rates can vary significantly between rooms within the same school. A previous study in California indicated that homes with the highest infiltration had a factor above 0.3, meaning that 30% of outdoor PM2.5 is penetrating and persisting indoors. These insights emphasize the need for tailored ventilation and filtration upgrades to ensure safer indoor environments for all students.
Bridging the Gap: Solutions for Safer School Environments
Our work focuses on addressing inequities in air quality protections by advocating for proper ventilation and filtration systems in all schools. Recently, the California Department of Public Health updated its guidelines, recommending that occupied classrooms maintain a minimum of 5 air changes per hour (ACH) or 30 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of equivalent clean airflow per occupant. These standards provide a crucial framework for improving indoor air quality in educational settings.
However, meeting these guidelines requires significant resources, which many schools—especially those in underfunded districts—may lack. To bridge this gap, additional funding and support are essential to help schools upgrade or optimize existing mechanical ventilation systems or install portable air cleaning devices. Ensuring these minimum ventilation standards are met is vital for protecting the health and well-being of students and staff, regardless of their zip code.
Practical Resources for Schools and Families
With air quality concerns in the coming weeks, including windblown ash and dust that are not detected by most air quality devices, it’s crucial for school administrators and parents to take proactive steps to protect children from wildfire smoke exposure. Numerous medical doctors and public health experts recommend that families with children continue masking and taking air quality precautions for at least a few weeks after a fire is contained. Below is a list of resources to help ensure safer indoor environments:
California Department of Public Health – Improving Indoor Air Quality in Schools
The Corsi-Rosenthal Box: DIY Box Fan Air Filter for COVID-19 and Wildfire Smoke
Protecting Children’s Health During and After Natural Disasters: Wildfires & Volcanic Ash
A Call to Prioritize Healthier Air for All
The wildfires in California starkly illustrate the worsening impacts of climate change on the air we breathe, with smoke creating both immediate and long-term health risks. This crisis demands urgent action to prioritize air quality as a public health imperative, especially for vulnerable populations like students in underserved communities. By investing in advanced ventilation and air filtration systems, we can protect children's health today while laying the groundwork for a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future for all.
Jessica Yu is a Research Scientist studying the intersection of human and environmental health at the Climate and Energy Policy Program. With a focus on interdisciplinary solutions, her research addresses the public health impacts of wildfire and prescribed fire smoke.
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