Up to 2,000 schools are being sought for what is expected to be the 鈥渂iggest study of air quality in schools anywhere in the world鈥�. The , will provide schools with free air quality monitors to measure carbon dioxide (CO2), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), particulate matter (PM), temperature and relative humidity. The programme is being run by the Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York, Imperial College London, and the University of Cambridge. The Department for Education wrote to schools today to encourage them to take part. It follows for schools, offices, supermarkets and hospitals to be monitored for indoor air pollutants, prompted by fears about harms caused by dirty air. The Guardian that analysis by the campaign group Global Action Plan found more than a quarter of schools were in locations with high levels of small particle pollution. The DfE said in an email to schools that they were 鈥渋nvited to register for a free air quality monitor, linked to a web app where teachers and pupils can view and use the data鈥�. The project 鈥渂rings together scientists, pupils and teachers to help us understand indoor air quality in UK schools鈥�. It is separate from a government scheme launched during the Covid-19 pandemic that distributed carbon dioxide monitors to schools. Data will form national database As well as being available to teachers and pupils, the data from each monitor will be 鈥渞ecorded in a national database鈥�. The programme鈥檚 website states it hopes 鈥渢o recruit 1,000-2,000 schools covering the full range of school types, sizes, locations and building styles鈥�. 鈥淭his will generate enough data for our project scientists to analyse to understand schools’ air quality across the UK. Our overall aim is to understand and improve long-term air quality for all schools.鈥� Dr Henry Burridge, project lead for SAMHE at Imperial College London, said its 鈥渙verall aim is to understand and improve air quality for all schools and provide evidence for better national policies and practice鈥�. Twenty schools worked with the team to design the project while 120 helped test and refine the web app. Elangeni School, one of those testing the app, said the 鈥渃hildren鈥檚 enthusiasm has been infectious and there is tangible excitement at being able to access the data in real time at home鈥�. Schools can register online