The School District’s long-term quest to purify the 405 Freeway-generated dirty air constantly sprinkled across the campus of El Marino Language School is continuing, on schedule, through the experimental stage.
Mike Reynolds, the District’s assistant superintendent for business, explains the state of the single test unit that is at the heart of the months-long project.
“We are working with the principal (Tracy Pumilia) on an appropriate timeline to do the installation (of a prototype air filtration system) where it will not interfere with the educational program,” he said.
Mr. Reynolds estimates the testing period at four to six weeks.
“We want to be thorough,” he said. “The results of the test will help us determine the appropriate system, perhaps that one, perhaps something different, to fully mitigate the air throughout all of the classrooms.
“The system itself is fascinating. It is air filtration plus heating, and it will fit, with modifications, inside the current closet that houses the heater in the classroom.”
Mr. Reynolds said that “everything is about ready to go. We are working with the principal on the right time to actually go in and install it, perhaps of an evening.”
Once the hungrily needed test unit is in place, said Mr. Reynolds, “we will do a series of independent measurements to find out how efficient it is. It should be efficient in terms of the very small particulates that come from the diesel exhaust from the adjacent 405.”
The assistant super is optimistic. “We are pretty sure that is going to work,” he said. “We are going to test the sound threshold to make sure it is quiet enough for classes to be conducted.
“We will check the air flow, too, because we have to move a certain amount of air through the classrooms so the kids will have a certain amount of fresh air.” Mr. Reynolds said there are specified standards to measure the effectiveness.
“We also are going to test the system to see what kind of impact it has on cooling the room,” he said.
