CO2 sensors, which make it possible to know whether it is necessary to ventilate classrooms, canteens and other places where schoolchildren mix, must appear in number in the 210 Toulouse nursery and elementary schools. In spring 2021, then during the start of the school year, around fifteen mobile devices were used in establishments, especially in canteens or multipurpose rooms, specifies Marion Lalane-de-Laubadère, deputy mayor in charge of schools. They made it possible to define an operation protocol for these most frequented places. Since then, a new order has been placed in order to equip each school. “We are awaiting delivery”, indicates the elected official who hopes for the arrival of the sensors for “the end of February”. In this area too, a shortage is delaying deliveries.
As at the start of the school year, Marion Lalane-de-Laubadère pleads for “common sense. When you are in a classroom, you know that you have to ventilate regularly. You don’t necessarily need a CO2 sensor for that. But you have to think about it. In previous analyzes of air quality at school, before the arrival of the Covid, it had already been recommended to ventilate the classrooms more often. Incidentally, the deputy mayor argues the cost for the community of a CO2 sensor, ie 162 € each “and not 50 as the government says. That is what he understands, he will reimburse us. “
Regarding air purifiers, Marion Lalande-de-Laubadère remains skeptical about their effectiveness. “I asked the municipal hygiene service to protect themselves on the matter and to do a test in a dormitory.” But it is not envisaged to buy such devices, the purchase and maintenance of which are expensive. Since the start of the school year, Toulouse has some 34,500 young schoolchildren in its establishments.