Matt Schmidt, left, programs a new classroom heating and ventilation unit as his Control Technologies co-workers Dallas Lumbra, middle, and Bill Ayers, right, pack up their tools to move to the next classroom at White River Valley School in South Royalton, Vt., Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. The school received a $202,000 grant to replace 10 of the units that are over 50 years old, and add six more. The grant also funded an update to the building’s HVAC controls and a mobile air filtration unit for the school nurse’s office capable of removing virus particles from the air. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.
Matt Schmidt, left, programs a new classroom heating and ventilation unit as his Control Technologies co-workers Dallas Lumbra, middle, and Bill Ayers, right, pack up their tools to move to the next classroom at White River Valley School in South Royalton, Vt., Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. The school received a $202,000 grant to replace 10 of the units that are over 50 years old, and add six more. The grant also funded an update to the building’s HVAC controls and a mobile air filtration unit for the school nurse’s office capable of removing virus particles from the air. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Credit: James M. Patterson

Not long ago, Americans lived with invisible dangers like lead and asbestos — until science caught up and regulations followed. Today, we face a similar threat we still have not fully confronted: the quality of the air inside our homes, schools, and workplaces.

We spend about 90 percent of our time indoors. Yet unlike outdoor air, the air in our homes, schools, and workplaces is largely unregulated — and often more polluted. In New Hampshire, where long winters keep us indoors for months, this issue is especially urgent. Common indoor pollutants like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can silently build up to harmful levels.

Research from Dr. Joseph Allen and his team at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health shows that poor ventilation and elevated levels of CO₂ and VOCs can significantly impair cognitive function and increase the risk of long-term respiratory illness.

The effects are not abstract. Poor indoor air can reduce attention, memory, and decision-making—making it harder for students to learn and for workers to perform. It can also cause fatigue, dizziness, and headaches. Young children and older adults are especially vulnerable, and poorly ventilated spaces allow viruses to spread more easily, leading to more sick days in schools and workplaces.

The good news is that solutions are both practical and achievable. Simple steps — like opening windows or using fans — can improve airflow. Longer-term investments, such as upgrading HVAC systems or using high-quality air purifiers, can significantly reduce harmful pollutants. Indoor air monitors can also help households and schools track conditions and take action. But individual action is not enough.

Like lead and asbestos before it, poor indoor air quality is an invisible danger. The science is now clear. What’s missing is the policy response. Here in the Upper Valley, we have the opportunity to lead — by strengthening New Hampshire and Vermont state laws and supporting local town ordinances that promote healthier indoor air. With the right standards and investments, we can ensure that the places where we live, learn, and work no longer put our health at risk.

The writers are students at Richmond Middle School, Crossroads Academy and Marion Cross Elementary School, and members of the Upper Valley Future Problem Solvers team.