HEPA filters in classrooms: a new weapon against sick days?
NCT ID NCT07119333
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether placing HEPA air purifiers in primary school classrooms can reduce student absences caused by respiratory infections like colds and flu. About 72 schools in Norway will be randomly assigned to receive either working purifiers or sham devices. Researchers will track absences over 12-week periods during two winter seasons to see if cleaner air keeps more children in class.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Air purifiers with HEPA filters
- What this could lead to
- If effective, air purifiers could become a simple, non-disruptive way to reduce school absences and limit the spread of respiratory infections in classrooms.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage trial with only 72 schools, and the sham control design means results may be modest. Air purifiers might not significantly cut absences, and the study focuses on a specific age group in Norway.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Oslo, Oslo, 0213, Norway