FeasibilityNCT06374316
Air Purifiers in Classrooms for Infection Control - a Pilot Study
A study testing Ceiling-Mounted Air Purifiers, Portable Air Purifiers and Portable or Ceiling Mounted Air Purifiers in people with Feasibility and Acceptability, run by Norwegian Institute of Public Health at 1 site in Norway.
Trial summary
This study aims to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of deploying air purifiers equipped with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters in classrooms, to study air purifiers as an infection control measure. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any age
- Conditions the study is for
- Feasibility, Acceptability
- What is being tested?
- Ceiling-Mounted Air Purifiers, Portable Air Purifiers and Portable or Ceiling Mounted Air Purifiers
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 6 participants
- Where
- 1 siteNorway
- Study dates
- 15 Jan 2024to 1 May 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Having a classroom in the 5th to 7th grade that either has sufficient floor space to accommodate at least two portable air purifiers or has the infrastructure for the installation of a ceiling-mounted air purifier.
- Having at least 15 students in the relevant classroom.
- Having three classrooms at the same floor with sufficient floor space to accommodate at least two portable air purifiers AND with the infrastructure for the installation of a ceiling-mounted air purifier.
- The relevant three classrooms should be slightly comparable with regards to use and air quality. The air quality, as perceived by users, should generally be rated as moderate to poor. which should be medium to poor.
- Having a classroom with installed air purifier through the study as their primary classroom.
- Informed consent from both legal guardians.
- Teaching in the classroom with installed air purifiers at least a few hours per week.
- Providing informed consent.
Who cannot join
None listed.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
This study aims to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of deploying air purifiers equipped with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters in classrooms, to study air purifiers as an infection control measure. It will also evaluate the direct effect of air purifiers on air quality, comparing ceiling-mounted purifiers, portable purifiers and no purifier.
Read the detailed description
Improved ventilation and air purification have been proposed as promising measures to protect the health of students and children while avoiding future school closures during pandemics. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the effectiveness and potential drawbacks of using air purifiers in educational settings. This pilot study was initiated to explore whether a large study of air purifiers in Norwegian primary school classrooms is feasible and acceptable among teachers and students, and to uncover whether air purifiers can reduce particle density in classrooms and thus potentially decrease the spread of infections.
The results will lay the groundwork for larger-scale trials that could form the basis of knowledge for decision-makers on whether the use of air purifiers should be part of the strategy to limit infections in classrooms while avoiding school closures during future pandemics.
The pilot study consists of two parts. The first part will last six weeks, and focus on the feasibility and acceptability among teachers and students. It will describe and compare two arms - ceiling-mounted (arm 1) and portable (arm 2) air purifiers. The second part lasts nine weeks, and will evaluate the direct effect of air purifiers on air quality. It will compare ceiling-mounted, and portable devices and no purifier(arm 3). The study will involve multiple schools, with a total of six schools contributing eight classrooms. Arm 1 will have two schools and arm 2 will have three schools, each school contributing with one classroom. Arm 3 will have one school, contributing with three classrooms. The classrooms will preferably belong to 7th grade students, but 6th and 5th grade student classrooms will also be accepted, based on the schools preferences. Data collection includes interviews and questionnaires from teachers and students, observations, as well as absenteeism data and air quality measurements.
- Conditions
- Feasibility, Acceptability
- Being tested
- Ceiling-Mounted Air Purifiers, Portable Air Purifiers, Portable or Ceiling Mounted Air Purifiers
- Keywords
- Infection Control, Air Purifier, Covid-19, School
- Medical subject headings
- COVID-19
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Ceiling-Mounted Air PurifiersDevice
The devices will be turned on every working day except Tuesdays. Air purifiers will be set at levels perceived as acceptable by both teachers and students during operational hours.
Portable Air PurifiersDevice
The devices will be turned on every working day except Tuesdays. Air purifiers will be set at levels perceived as acceptable by both teachers and students during operational hours.
Portable or Ceiling Mounted Air PurifiersDevice
The Ceiling-Mounted and Portable devices will alternate weekly between being activated and deactivated in the three classrooms. Each classroom will also have three weeks with no purifier activated.This alternating pattern aims to assess the impact of the various air purifiers on air quality. Air purifiers will be set at levels perceived as acceptable by both teachers and students during operational hours.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Ceiling-Mounted Air Purifiers | Experimental | Classrooms in this arm will have ceiling-mounted air purifiers installed. Air quality will be monitored throughout the study period. Receives: Device: Ceiling-Mounted Air Purifiers |
| Portable Air Purifiers | Experimental | Classrooms in this arm will have portable air purifiers installed. Air quality will be monitored throughout the study period. Receives: Device: Portable Air Purifiers |
| Both Portable and Ceiling-Mounted Air Purifiers | Experimental | Classrooms in this arms will have both portable and ceiling-mounted air purifiers installed. The rooms will alternate weekly between having no air purifiers on, or only ceiling-mounted air purifier on, or only portable air purifier on.
Air quality will be monitored throughout the study period. Receives: Device: Portable or Ceiling Mounted Air Purifiers |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Effectiveness of air purifiers versus no air purifier on improving air quality in classrooms.
Air quality will be measured using specialized monitors, capturing key indicators such as particulate matter levels. The data collected will enable a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of air purifiers versus no air purifier in improving the overall air quality in educational settings.
Measured: 9 weeks
Effectiveness of ceiling mounted versus portable air purifier on improving air quality in classrooms.
Air quality will be measured using specialized monitors, capturing key indicators such as particulate matter levels. The data collected will enable a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness between ceiling mounted and portable air purifiers in improving the overall air quality in educational settings.
Measured: 9 weeks
Acceptability of having Air Purifiers in Classrooms
Acceptability will be assessed through the in-depth qualitative interviews with teachers and students, exploring perceptions and challenges associated with the use of air purifiers.
Measured: 6 weeks
Untoward events when installing air purifiers in classrooms
Experiences will be collected from the personnel involved in installing the air purifiers
Measured: 2 weeks
Untoward events when running air purifiers in classrooms
Experiences will be collected from class teachers and students through in-depth qualitative interviews at the beginning (only teachers) and the end (teachers and students) of the study period. Observations and experiences from the study team during the study period will be collected and described.
Measured: 9 weeks
How student absence data can be collected from existing school registration systems.
Experiences from collecting data from the individual schools or from the municipalities, on absence per week per class based on the existing absence systems, will be described.
Measured: 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (4)
Response rate of class teachers to the study surveys.
Consent will be sought from relevant teachers in part 1 schools, and weekly questionnaires will be sent out. Response rates will be described. Results will be supported by answers to interview questions about motivations and challenges in participating in such surveys.
Measured: 6 weeks
Response rate of students/their guardians to study surveys.
Consent will be sought from students in part 1 schools, and weekly questionnaires will be sent out. Response rate will be described.
Measured: 8 weeks
Proportion of absence due to respiratory disease.
Answers to surveys from teachers and students on absence and reasons for absence, from part 1 schools, will be analysed.
Measured: 8 weeks
Absence frequency among students
Based on the absence data from the schools existing registration systems, we will describe the absence frequency among students in the participating classes.
Measured: 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Apr 2024
- Study start15 Jan 2024
- Primary completion1 May 2024 (estimated)
- Study completion1 May 2024 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for FeasibilityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- We will select schools for participation in arm 1 and 2, respectively, based on the feasibility of installing ceiling-mounted and placing portable air purifiers in each relevant classroom. In arm 3, all three classrooms will be equipped with both ceiling-mounted and portable air purifiers, as well as indoor air quality sensors. For this arm, we will randomize the three classrooms to each of three weekly programs for the air purifiers; Program 1) Week 1, 4, and 7: Ceiling-mounted ON, Week 2, 5, and 8: No purifier on, Week 3, 6, and 9: Portable ON. Program 2) Week 1, 4, and 7: Portable ON, Week 2, 5, and 8: Ceiling-mounted ON, Week 3, 6, and 9: No purifier on. Program 3) Week 1, 4, and 7: No purifier on Week 2, 5, and 8: Portable ON, Week 3, 6, and 9: Ceiling-mounted ON. Each classroom will be assigned a computer-generated random number and will based on the ascending order of the random numbers be allocated to the three predetermined sequences of programs.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 6 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Collaborators
- SINTEF Health Research
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06374316
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2302888
- Status last verified
- Feb 2024
- First submitted
- 30 Jan 2024
- Last updated
- 18 Apr 2024
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Julin CH, Elgersma IH, Solberg RB, Holst C, Helleve A, Rose CJ, Gopinathan U, Fretheim A, Elstrom P, Holos SB. Air purifiers in classrooms for infection control: a pilot study including a randomized multiple crossover trial to evaluate effectiveness in reducing particulate matter. Trials. 2026 Jul 11. doi: 10.1186/s13063-026-09839-5. Online ahead of print.
PubMed 42436572
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Apr 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Air Purifiers in Classrooms for Infection Control - a Pilot Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06374316
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2302888
- Conditions
- Feasibility, Acceptability
- Keywords
- Infection Control, Air Purifier, Covid-19, School
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 6 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Norwegian Institute of Public HealthOther government
- Collaborators
- SINTEF Health Research
- Study start
- 15 Jan 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 May 2024 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 May 2024 (estimated)
- First posted
- 18 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of deploying air purifiers equipped with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters in classrooms, to study air purifiers as an infection control measure. It will also evaluate the direct effect of air purifiers on air quality, comparing ceiling-mounted purifiers, portable purifiers and no purifier.
Detailed description
Improved ventilation and air purification have been proposed as promising measures to protect the health of students and children while avoiding future school closures during pandemics. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the effectiveness and potential drawbacks of using air purifiers in educational settings. This pilot study was initiated to explore whether a large study of air purifiers in Norwegian primary school classrooms is feasible and acceptable among teachers and students, and to uncover whether air purifiers can reduce particle density in classrooms and thus potentially decrease the spread of infections.
The results will lay the groundwork for larger-scale trials that could form the basis of knowledge for decision-makers on whether the use of air purifiers should be part of the strategy to limit infections in classrooms while avoiding school closures during future pandemics.
The pilot study consists of two parts. The first part will last six weeks, and focus on the feasibility and acceptability among teachers and students. It will describe and compare two arms - ceiling-mounted (arm 1) and portable (arm 2) air purifiers. The second part lasts nine weeks, and will evaluate the direct effect of air purifiers on air quality. It will compare ceiling-mounted, and portable devices and no purifier(arm 3). The study will involve multiple schools, with a total of six schools contributing eight classrooms. Arm 1 will have two schools and arm 2 will have three schools, each school contributing with one classroom. Arm 3 will have one school, contributing with three classrooms. The classrooms will preferably belong to 7th grade students, but 6th and 5th grade student classrooms will also be accepted, based on the schools preferences. Data collection includes interviews and questionnaires from teachers and students, observations, as well as absenteeism data and air quality measurements.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- We will select schools for participation in arm 1 and 2, respectively, based on the feasibility of installing ceiling-mounted and placing portable air purifiers in each relevant classroom. In arm 3, all three classrooms will be equipped with both ceiling-mounted and portable air purifiers, as well as indoor air quality sensors. For this arm, we will randomize the three classrooms to each of three weekly programs for the air purifiers; Program 1) Week 1, 4, and 7: Ceiling-mounted ON, Week 2, 5, and 8: No purifier on, Week 3, 6, and 9: Portable ON. Program 2) Week 1, 4, and 7: Portable ON, Week 2, 5, and 8: Ceiling-mounted ON, Week 3, 6, and 9: No purifier on. Program 3) Week 1, 4, and 7: No purifier on Week 2, 5, and 8: Portable ON, Week 3, 6, and 9: Ceiling-mounted ON. Each classroom will be assigned a computer-generated random number and will based on the ascending order of the random numbers be allocated to the three predetermined sequences of programs.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Ceiling-Mounted Air Purifiers | Experimental | Device: Ceiling-Mounted Air PurifiersClassrooms in this arm will have ceiling-mounted air purifiers installed. Air quality will be monitored throughout the study period. |
| Portable Air Purifiers | Experimental | Device: Portable Air PurifiersClassrooms in this arm will have portable air purifiers installed. Air quality will be monitored throughout the study period. |
| Both Portable and Ceiling-Mounted Air Purifiers | Experimental | Device: Portable or Ceiling Mounted Air PurifiersClassrooms in this arms will have both portable and ceiling-mounted air purifiers installed. The rooms will alternate weekly between having no air purifiers on, or only ceiling-mounted air purifier on, or only portable air purifier on. Air quality will be monitored throughout the study period. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Having a classroom in the 5th to 7th grade that either has sufficient floor space to accommodate at least two portable air purifiers or has the infrastructure for the installation of a ceiling-mounted air purifier.
- Having at least 15 students in the relevant classroom.
- Having three classrooms at the same floor with sufficient floor space to accommodate at least two portable air purifiers AND with the infrastructure for the installation of a ceiling-mounted air purifier.
- The relevant three classrooms should be slightly comparable with regards to use and air quality. The air quality, as perceived by users, should generally be rated as moderate to poor. which should be medium to poor.
- Having a classroom with installed air purifier through the study as their primary classroom.
Key exclusion criteria (0 listed)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Ceiling-Mounted Air PurifiersThe devices will be turned on every working day except Tuesdays. Air purifiers will be set at levels perceived as acceptable by both teachers and students during operational hours. | Device | Ceiling-Mounted Air Purifiers |
| Portable Air PurifiersThe devices will be turned on every working day except Tuesdays. Air purifiers will be set at levels perceived as acceptable by both teachers and students during operational hours. | Device | Portable Air Purifiers |
| Portable or Ceiling Mounted Air PurifiersThe Ceiling-Mounted and Portable devices will alternate weekly between being activated and deactivated in the three classrooms. Each classroom will also have three weeks with no purifier activated.This alternating pattern aims to assess the impact of the various air purifiers on air quality. Air purifiers will be set at levels perceived as acceptable by both teachers and students during operational hours. | Device | Both Portable and Ceiling-Mounted Air Purifiers |
Primary outcome
Effectiveness of air purifiers versus no air purifier on improving air quality in classrooms.
Time frame: 9 weeks
Air quality will be measured using specialized monitors, capturing key indicators such as particulate matter levels. The data collected will enable a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of air purifiers versus no air purifier in improving the overall air quality in educational settings.
Effectiveness of ceiling mounted versus portable air purifier on improving air quality in classrooms.
Time frame: 9 weeks
Air quality will be measured using specialized monitors, capturing key indicators such as particulate matter levels. The data collected will enable a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness between ceiling mounted and portable air purifiers in improving the overall air quality in educational settings.
Acceptability of having Air Purifiers in Classrooms
Time frame: 6 weeks
Acceptability will be assessed through the in-depth qualitative interviews with teachers and students, exploring perceptions and challenges associated with the use of air purifiers.
Untoward events when installing air purifiers in classrooms
Time frame: 2 weeks
Experiences will be collected from the personnel involved in installing the air purifiers
Untoward events when running air purifiers in classrooms
Time frame: 9 weeks
Experiences will be collected from class teachers and students through in-depth qualitative interviews at the beginning (only teachers) and the end (teachers and students) of the study period. Observations and experiences from the study team during the study period will be collected and described.
How student absence data can be collected from existing school registration systems.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Experiences from collecting data from the individual schools or from the municipalities, on absence per week per class based on the existing absence systems, will be described.
4 secondary outcomes
Response rate of class teachers to the study surveys.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Response rate of students/their guardians to study surveys.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Proportion of absence due to respiratory disease.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Absence frequency among students
Time frame: 8 weeks
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Apr 2024.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42436572Julin CH, Elgersma IH, Solberg RB, Holst C, Helleve A, Rose CJ, Gopinathan U, Fretheim A, Elstrom P, Holos SB. Air purifiers in classrooms for infection control: a pilot study including a randomized multiple crossover trial to evaluate effectiveness in reducing particulate matter. Trials. 2026 Jul 11. doi: 10.1186/s13063-026-09839-5. Online ahead of print.
- Study ProtocolLink provided by the sponsor.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Ceiling-Mounted Air Purifiers, Portable Air Purifiers and Portable or Ceiling Mounted Air Purifiers in people with Feasibility and Acceptability, run by Norwegian Institute of Public Health at 1 site in Norway.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 0 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Apr 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Norway. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Effectiveness of air purifiers versus no air purifier on improving air quality in classrooms. (time frame: 9 weeks). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06374316, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Apr 2024.