On March 6, 2024, South Coast AQMD and IQAir, an air quality technology company, held an event to showcase the installation of air filters in classrooms at Santa Isabel Elementary School in Los Angeles. An additional 100 schools that will soon also receive air filtration units were announced at the event.

This installation is part of $1.2 million in incentive funds made available by the state for the installation and maintenance of air filtration systems at private K-12 schools, private daycare facilities, and preschools in the AB 617 communities. To date, this program has provided air filtration to 184 participating private schools and daycare facilities in environmental justice communities.

Many schools in Southern California are located near highways and exposed to pollution sources like diesel particulates. The air filters installed in classrooms are certified to remove more than 90 percent of ultra-fine particulate matter from classrooms. Improved indoor air quality in classrooms increases productivity and improves attendance and performance in both adults and students.