Connecticut Secured Grant for School Air Filters

New classroom filtration devices aim to reduce student illness and school absenteeism across Connecticut.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Asthma

Bold vector editorial illustration of a simple box-fan filtration unit on a school desk, symbolizing improved air quality in classrooms. — Connecticut has secured an $11.5 million grant to install low-cost air filtration devices in elementary schools to combat chronic student absenteeism. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local school district prioritize funding for air filtration systems in all classrooms?

Connecticut has received an $11.5 million grant to produce and install air filtration devices in elementary school classrooms. These devices, which cost $60 each to build, are designed to improve air quality to help keep students healthy and in class.

Why it matters

Reducing airborne illnesses in classrooms is a key strategy to address chronic absenteeism among young students. The average kindergartner misses 10 to 15 days of school annually due to illness, a trend this initiative aims to mitigate through enhanced ventilation.

The EPA-certified filtration devices are designed to filter air as it circulates through a constructed box equipped with a fan. While internal metrics indicate 99% cleanliness levels, the long-term impact on regional pediatric respiratory health remains under observation.

The players

Eniola Shokunbi

The inventor and grant recipient who developed the low-cost classroom air filtration technology.

The details

The filtration device is a low-cost, constructed box housing a plug-in fan that draws air through filter media. As air circulates through the box, the unit captures airborne particulates and pathogens, including viruses like COVID. This method provides a scalable way to improve classroom indoor air quality using simple, accessible materials.

2026: Eniola Shokunbi secured the grant to produce devices for Connecticut schools.

Health Landscape

This project aligns with broader efforts to meet EPA indoor air quality certification standards within public school settings. It represents a shift toward utilizing scalable, low-cost engineering solutions to address the persistent public health challenge of airborne virus transmission in schools.

If you are a parent, keep track of your child's respiratory health and note any changes in illness-related school absences once these units are installed. You may wish to discuss how your local school district plans to implement these filtration upgrades with your child's primary care physician.

The takeaway

Improving classroom air quality is a promising step toward reducing the 10 to 15 days of school the average kindergartner misses annually. Continue to monitor your child for symptoms of airborne illness and consult a pediatrician regarding appropriate seasonal health precautions.