District will install air quality monitors in schools

The school district plans to install three air quality sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, noise, carbon dioxide, pollution — and even vape smoke.

The district can use the data it collects from the monitors in its request for state funding to repair and improve parts of the decades-old school buildings, including new windows, insulation, roofing, heating and ventilation systems.

The district received the sensors at no cost with a year of free monitoring under a program with the Alaska Department of Education and the sensors’ manufacturer.

“The company … reached out (to the Department of Education) last year to see if districts were interested,” Schools Superintendent Bill Burr said in an email. “They are considered environmental sensors that could read the vape index. However, any ‘vape’ sensor on its own is of limited value and is less of a reason we took the free sensors as a trial.”

“We have not seen much vaping activity in buildings or public gatherings, but we may be able to see if it is just an unknown concern at this point,” Burr said.

“Many districts and communities in Alaska have had significant concerns, including some (Southeast) areas,” he added, “but as of now we are not aware of much actual vaping in the building outside of isolated events and a few adult-related community activity reports (such as sports).”

Like smoking, vaping is not allowed on school grounds in Wrangell.

In addition to smoke from e-cigarettes and vape sticks, the monitors will watch for any excessive levels of breathable fine particulates, which can lead to respiratory problems, and volatile organic compounds, which could include diesel fumes.

Tony Anzalone, the school district’s technology director, will oversee installation of the three sensors — two will go into the high school and one at the elementary school. “They can be moved, so this may change,” he said.

The sensors can measure the air within a 1,000-foot radius but will not target a specific area within the zone, he said.

“I am still configuring and installing the devices, but I would say within a week, possibly two, the installations will be completed,” Anzalone said on Oct. 18.

The district announced the new sensors in its Oct. 9 newsletter to parents of high school and middle school students.