Use of Portable Air Cleaners in Washington State Schools: A Qualitative Analysis Based on the Technology Acceptance Model

BACKGROUND

The US government allocated over $2.5 billion in “Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER)” funds to Washington State for COVID-19 response and ventilation improvements. Despite available funding, gaps persist in supporting schools to successfully use portable air cleaners (PACs). We evaluated PAC needs within King County, Washington and characterized factors influencing schools' purchase and use of PACs.

METHODS

Public Health—Seattle & King County (PHSKC) assessed school's ventilation systems and IAQ improvements through a survey (N = 17). Separately, semi-structured interviews (N = 13) based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) were conducted with school personnel. A thematic analysis using inductive and deductive coding was conducted and logistic regression models assessed the predictive capability of the TAM.

RESULTS

The PHSKC survey findings informed our recommendations. Positive attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs in ease of use and effectiveness of PACs were facilitators to PAC use. While barriers included a lack of training, education, and concerns about PAC maintenance and sustainability. TAM constructs of perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) were predictive of having the intention to use PACs in schools.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a critical need for solutions to circumvent challenges to implementing PACs in schools. This characterization provides insight for promoting PAC use in IAQ-impacted schools.