The Pleasant Valley School District has ordered an additional air filtration system to help battle the coronavirus and purify the air in its school buildings.

The purchase of the Airius PureAir units was approved by the school board at their meeting on Oct. 22.

According to the company’s website, the pear-shaped units hang from the ceiling of a large room and use a broad spectrum HE/UV light focused on a quad metallic target to produce hydroperoxides that purify the air.

It kills 99% of bacteria, viruses and mold on surfaces and airborne, as well as 85% of volatile organic compounds and odors.

“The amount of hydroperoxides required to accomplish this task in a conditioned space is well below the level that is constantly in our outside air,” the website stated.

“They’re a very good way to purify the air,” said school board President Donna Yozwiak.

The units will be purchased from Robert M. Hillberts Inc. in Conshohocken in two orders. The first order costs $15,050 plus tax and installation, and the units will go in the high school auditorium and three other locations.

The second purchase will cost $74,545 plus tax and installation and will go in the high school gymnasium, gymnasium 2 and cafeteria; the middle school cafeteria, gymnasium 1 and 2; intermediate school cafeteria, and gymnasium; and the elementary school cafeteria and gymnasium.

Yozwiak said air filtration systems will be paid for through the Monroe County Mitigation Grant, which was about $300,000. The remaining funds will go toward curriculum upgrades.

“We’re using every cent to benefit the kids’ curriculum and health,” she said.

Before the purchases are final, the school district’s director of building and grounds, William Gasper, will run a test of the air quality in the middle school gymnasium. He is going to test the air quality before he runs the air filtration system and again after to see if it makes a difference. If it works well, then he will purchase the rest of the units.

Pleasant Valley School Board also approved the following purchases:

• Adult English Language Development and EL Student Homework Help program to run virtually for the current school year. The cost was $4,000 and paid for through Title III funds. The program will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

• School Check-in Software and Scanners – cost: $11,936.74 and paid for out of PCCD Meritorious Grant (Safe School Grant).

• CSI – Fire Alarm Inspection Service Agreement – cost: $1,764 for a term of Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2021.

• CSI – Fire Alarm Central Station Monitoring and Communication Upgrade – cost: $3,540 per year, plus a one-time equipment setup cost of $10,786. Total initial cost is $14,326 for the term of Oct. 1 to June 30, 2024.