FOI - Air Filters in Schools [Aug 2024]

Your request

1. What scientific research papers were considered in the decision to commence the pilot project for the use of air filters in classrooms in London? Please provide copies.
2. What public health and / or environmental health advice was considered in the decision to commence the pilot project for the use of air filters in classrooms in London? Please provide copies.
3. Was an environmental impact assessment carried out of the decision to commence the pilot project? If so, what were the conclusions of that assessment? Please provide a copy.
4. Was an equality assessment carried out in connection with the decision to commence the pilot project? If so, what were the conclusions of that assessment? Please provide a copy.
5. Was a cost-benefit analysis or policy costing exercise carried out in connection with the decision to commence the pilot project? If so, what was the outcome of that analysis / exercise? Please provide a copy.
6. What lower cost particulate matter filters were considered in the in-classroom practical testing?
7. Of those, which was found to be the best pollution reduction capacity?
8. Of those, which was found to offer best value for money?
9. Of those, which was found to be most suitable for schools? What information and or training is being provided to schools / teachers / maintenance / facilities management staff in connection with the use of the filters, both in the initial stage and in the 200 school roll out? Please provide copies of any information circulars or training materials.
10. What steps are being put in place to monitor the use of the filters, both in the initial practical testing and in the roll out to 200 schools?

Our response

Two scientific research papers were considered in the decision to commence the school filters project. These are:

• Rawat, N. and Kumar, P., 2023. Interventions for improving indoor and outdoor air quality in and around schools. Science of the Total Environment, 858, p.159813. A copy of this paper can be found here: Interventions for improving indoor and outdoor air quality in and around schools - ScienceDirect
• Abhijith, K.V., Kukadia, V. and Kumar, P., 2022. Investigation of air pollution mitigation measures, ventilation, and indoor air quality at three schools in London. Atmospheric Environment, 289, p.119303. A copy of this paper can be found here: Investigation of air pollution mitigation measures, ventilation, and indoor air quality at three schools in London - ScienceDirect

The GLA does not hold information within the scope of parts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 of your request.

In relation to the remainder of your request, the information you are seeking is exempt from disclosure under the exemption for Commercial Interests at section 43(2) of the FOIA. Section 43(2) provides that information can be withheld from release if its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person. A commercial interest relates to a person’s ability to participate competitively in a commercial activity and in this instance, the information you are seeking regarding the filters to use relate closely to the procurement activity being undertaken for Mayors' school filter programme.

This project has yet to conclude and disclosure would be likely to impact a fair procurement process. The GLA is currently in the market to procure a supplier / consortium to deliver upon the objectives of this project and releasing this information at this time would therefore prejudice those commercial interests and the quality, accuracy and therefore best value of the bids we expect to receive.

The GLA is satisfied that in this instance disclosure of this information would be likely to, prejudice or harm its commercial interests. Section 43(2) constitutes a qualified exemption from our duty to disclose information under the FOIA and consideration has to be given as to whether the public interest favouring disclosure of the information covered by this exemption outweighs the public interest considerations favouring maintaining the exemption and withholding the information.

In this instance the GLA recognises the legitimate public interest in the transparency regarding Its procurement activities and in relation to projects it is commissioning. In balancing the public interest in disclosure, we consider the greater good or benefit to the community if the information is released or not. The ‘right to know’ must be balanced against the need to enable effective government and serve the best interests of the public. Although in many cases disclosure promotes competition, there is undoubtedly a public interest in allowing public authorities to withhold information which, if disclosed, would negatively affect the ability to negotiate or to compete in a commercial environment. In this case, it is felt that the public interest would not be met by revealing information at this time which would be likely to be detrimental to the procurement activity being undertaken with regards to the Mayors' school filter programme.