Qld childcare centres installing CO2 monitors to stop Covid, flu spread

Queensland childcare centres are turning to hi-tech monitoring devices in an attempt to slow the spread of Covid and flu.

Queensland childcare centres are installing hi-tech carbon dioxide level monitoring devices in a bid to stop the spread of Covid and flu.

With sensors alerting the centre when maximum threshold limits are reached and the air quality is falling, staff can take action to improve the airflow, such as opening windows or moving kids outside.

The Gap Cubbyhouse Montessori has recently installed the technology with centre director Sue-Ling Lau – who herself has a background in science and engineering – saying minimising the centre’s risk of airborne viruses among children and staff was a top priority.

“All childcare centres face the same threat of virus transmission, and by knowing the CO2 levels in a room you cannot only make informed decisions to minimise Covid transmission but all airborne diseases,” she said.

“Poor ventilation also has an impact on cognitive ability and therefore productivity, so lowering CO2 levels means no one feels tired or groggy, giving us a more optimal learning environment.”

The centre partnered with Brisbane-based companies Zeplin and Thinxtra to install multiple indoor air quality monitoring sensors, which measure CO2 levels as well as temperate and humidity levels.

The Gap Cubbyhouse Montessori centre director Sue-Ling Lau. Picture: Supplied

Thinxtra’s indoor air quality monitoring technology is used in about 3,000 classrooms across Australia.

Experts have been vocal about the need for better systems to monitor air quality in public places such as schools since students returned to classrooms following the outbreak of the pandemic.

When school resumed this year, Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace said the government’s finalisation of the Cleaner Cooler Schools Program – installing airconditioning in every school – would help with ventilation.

While other states, such as Victoria and New South Wales, have engaged in mass rollouts of air purifiers the Queensland government has only indicated they would be deployed “where necessary”.

Zeplin director Justin Appi said CO2 monitoring technology was an important part of understanding air flow issues which cannot be otherwise seen, and helps to provide a healthier environment for children and staff.

“Alongside opening windows, using air purifiers, and turning air conditioners to fresh air intake, CO2 monitors are a must-have in day care centres and schools,” he said.

Ms Lau said the CO2 threshold alerts had been “eye-opening”, and it was alarming how high CO2 levels could rise to even in a low-density suburb like The Gap.

“Initially, we were getting alerts several times per day but now less, with procedures in place to increase airflow,” she said.

“Parents have told me they feel very reassured we’re doing everything we can to mitigate the spread of Covid at our centre, with daily deep cleaning of our facilities, weekly rapid antigen testing for staff, and now the CO2 monitors.”

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