ALARMING research has shone a light on the shocking quality of air found inside classrooms across the Costa del Sol.
The study, launched by Ecologists in Action, examined 412 schools, including 15 in the province of Malaga, located across areas such as Malaga city, Marbella, Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Alora.
Around 80% of the schools tested had nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels above the 10 micrograms per cubic metre limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).Â
This gas, primarily produced by traffic, can irritate the respiratory tract, with children being especially vulnerable.
Even low levels of NO2 exposure are associated with conditions such as bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory problems.
READ MORE: Marbella hospital rolls out a new home-care service across the Costa del Sol
The research was carried out with the help of volunteer teachers and their students, who placed sensors outside their schools.
The tests were carried out in November, and after a month the tubes were removed and sent to a laboratory in the UK for testing.Â
Only three schools, all in more rural areas, had what could be considered clean air.
In contrast, schools located in cities performed much worse.Â
Malaga city had some of the highest levels, while one school in Marbella also went above the new European Air Quality Directive of 20 micrograms per cubic meter.
The current legal limit is set at 40 micrograms per cubic meter.
Torremolinos showed slightly better results, with two schools below the future European limit, but still above the stricter WHO guidelines.
Across Spain, the wider campaign reveals an even more serious reality.
It found that 96% of school environments do not meet WHO recommendations.
Ecologists in Action say urgent steps are needed to rectify the issue, including reducing traffic near schools, lowering speed limits to 20 km/h and creating more green areas.
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