The Effect of Air Purifiers in Schools

Jacopo Bonan, Francesco Granella, Stefania Renna, Luis Sarmiento and Massimo Tavoni

No 25-17, RFF Working Paper Series from Resources for the Future

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

Date: 2025-06-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp and nep-hea
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