Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Air Library Scotland

Edinburgh Mask Bloc @edinmaskbloc.bsky.social · 1d

Happy Autumn! It's time for another event roundup 😊 Come say hi to us at @tagsfest.co.uk or @lighthousebks.bsky.social's Radical Book Fair, which are also supported by @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social, come to our crafting session or enjoy some of the many other covid safer events!

On backgrond of autumn leaves on a string: Covid Safer Events in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Autumn 2025 edition. Do you know of other covid-conscious events this autumn, anywhere in Scotland? Let us know and we’ll add it to our calendar!

One-off events:
Sat 18th October, 1pm: Edinburgh Butch Club Film Screening of “Outlaw”,
Edinburgh Student Housing Cooperative.
Masks required, Air purifier
Sat 25th October, 2pm-6pm: Glasgow Mask Bloc Clothes Swap & Fundraiser,
PlutoQ Community Reading Room, Glasgow.
Masks required, Tests available, Air purifier
Tue 28th October, 6pm-8pm: Edinburgh Mask Bloc Crafting session
Lavender Menace Queer Book Archive, Edinburgh.
Masks required, Air purifier, Online option.
Check out the individual organisations for exact precautions and more information!

Edinburgh Mask Bloc & Air Library Scotland will be at:
Sat & Sun 25th-26th October, 10am-5pm: TAGS Festival
Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh.
Masks required, Air purifiers provided by Air Library Scotland
Thurs 6th - Sun 9th November: Radical Book Fair - Ecosystems of Change
Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh.
Masks required, Air Purifiers provided by Air Library Scotland, Online option
Check out the individual organisations for exact precautions and more information!

Ongoing events & Covid-safer spaces:
PlutoQ Community Reading Room
Covid conscious Open Space/Events on Wednesdays and Fridays
Masks required, Tests available, Air purifier

Glasgow Zine Library
First Saturday each month
masking can be requested for events
Masks required, Air purifier

Glasgow Women’s Library
Friday Afternoons
Masks required, Air purifier

Lighthouse Books Events
Indoors events
Masks required, Air purifier, Online option
Check out the individual organisations for exact precautions and more information!

2 3

Reposted by Air Library Scotland

Safe Air Schools UK @safeairschoolsuk.bsky.social · 14d

On Tuesday, two of our junior clean air advocates stepped into Conference Room 4 at the United Nations in New York.

With their schools’ full support, they joined the historic event, Healthy Indoor Air: A Global Call to Action.

#AirClub #HealthyIndoorAir

Violet Affleck talking to two young children inside the UN

1 10 30

Reposted by Air Library Scotland

Smart Air UK @smartairuk.bsky.social · 11d

We believe clean air should be accessible to all 🌿

We’re so excited to support @breatheeasysheffield’s initiative to rent out air purifiers for free across Sheffield.

If you’re in Sheffield or have an upcoming event there, you can rent a purifier.
👉https://bit.ly/3VC0E9g

The SA600 air purifier with a vinyl sticker that reads 'CLEAN filtered AIR' brought to you by Smart Air is placed in a cozy living room next to a dark sofa with decorative pillows. A metallic floor lamp arches over the purifier, and part of a wall artwork is visible. Text at the bottom reads: 'Rent the SA600 for your next event in Sheffield for free from Breathe Easy Sheffield.'

6 3

Air Library Scotland @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social · Aug 16

Meet the Trotec AirgoClean® 140E, generously gifted to us by a community member!

As this model has a lower CADR, we recommend it for smaller spaces such as a hotel room, bedroom or a home office.

Request form linked in bio!

A picture of the Trotec AirgoClean 140 E in a pale blue circle with a yellow border. The heading text reads “Meet the Team: Trotec AirgoClean 140 E”

Three Air Library Scotland blue pinwheeels act as bullet points for the text. The text reads “Key Information at highest setting:
• Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR): 110 metres cubed per hour
• Suitable for rooms up to: 44 metres squared (474 square feet)
• Noise Level: 50 decibels (A-weighted)”.

1 2

Air Library Scotland @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social · Aug 10

A N95/FFP2 (or higher) certified mask helps filter out harmful particles from smoke

But overall: The benefit of that jog / bike cardio will not outweigh the damage of inhaling smoke!

All of our air purifiers are currently out on duty, but if you need masks, reach out to @edinmaskbloc.bsky.social!

2 6

Air Library Scotland @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social · Aug 10

Arthur's Seat is on fire and since Scotland doesn't have as much of a culture around dealing with wildfires, a small PSA:

If you are near wildfires (close enough to see / smell smoke), close your windows, run an air purifier if you have one, and avoid being outside unnecessarily - or wear a mask!

1 7 11

Reposted by Air Library Scotland

Aaron Collins @masknerd.bsky.social · Aug 7

I made a bold claim this spring, if you recontextualize the 2022 CDC mortality data and look at the root cause of mortality, **the #1 killer in the US stuff you breathe**.

Clean air leads to better health, including lower blood pressure.
www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/...

Effect of HEPA Filtration Air Purifiers on Blood Pressure: A Pragmatic Randomized Crossover Trial

www.jacc.org

36 120

Air Library Scotland @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social · Aug 1

Up next is the SA600 (3-speed version), the second of our donations from @smartairuk.bsky.social

This purifier is ideal for larger living spaces, classrooms and meeting rooms.

Try it for yourself using our request form!

A picture of the SA600 in a pale blue circle with a yellow border. The heading text reads “Meet the Team: Smart Air SA600”.

1 4

Air Library Scotland @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social · Jul 25

Meet the Smart Air Blast Mini, kindly donated by @smartairuk.bsky.social

This air purifier is ideal for larger spaces such as arts venues, social clubs and offices.

You can hire the Blast Mini for yourself or your organisation by filling out our request form!

A picture of the Smart Air Blast Mini in a pale blue circle with a yellow border. The heading text reads “Meet the Team: Smart Air Blast Mini”

5 5

Reposted by Air Library Scotland

Smart Air UK @smartairuk.bsky.social · Jul 11

Obi (professional napper and air quality connoisseur 🐾) has officially ‘lab’ tested two air purifiers for cool, filtered air on a hot day and he’s chosen the Blast Mini as the top dog.

#LabTested #DogApproved #StayCool

A black-and-white photo showing a black Labrador named Obi lying stretched out on a the floor. Nearby are two air purifiers: a Dyson tower fan-style purifier in the background and a the Blast Mini purifier in the foreground. The caption reads: “‘Lab’ testing #hotdogs” with playful yellow labels pointing to "Obi", "Dyson", and "Blast Mini".

1 4

Air Library Scotland @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social · Jul 10

We've already got several bookings for the next few months, but there's still some availability in August, whether you're visiting for the Fringe, running a show, or trying to avoid the festivals entirely to keep safe

Request a purifier now:
cryptpad.fr/form/#/2/for...

Air Library Scotland @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social · Jul 1

We're excited to announce we're now ready to take booking requests for air purifiers in and around Edinburgh! Anyone can borrow & loans are free.
Many thanks to @smartairuk.bsky.social for donating a SA600 and a Blast Mini, enabling this initiative!

Request form: cryptpad.fr/form/#/2/for...

Text: Request form now open! We’re now ready to accept requests from individuals and organisations who want to borrow air purifiers in the Edinburgh area Please read this post before putting in a request! Behind the headline, a dark blue hexagon with yellow shadow, with light blue extending out from it to the right. All images have the Air Library Scotland blue pinwheel in a yellow circle in the bottom left corner.

Second image. Text: How it works 1: Follow the link in our bio to the cryptpad request form 2: Fill out the form: When you want the purifier, for how long, what kind of space/event you’re wanting it for - we can help you find the right model for your use case if you’re unsure 3: We’ll get back to you within 7 days to let you know if we have purifiers available for your chosen dates, and discuss the details 4: Get your air purifier & breathe safer air! We can also help with creating a clean air policy or providing other precautions.

Third image. Text: Who can borrow? Any individual or organisation can borrow an air purifier! You could use it for.... organising meetings, social clubs, gigs, readings & exhibitions, medical appointments, and more! NB: our purifiers have limited portability. We might be able to accommodate longer-term requests but chances are higher the further in advance you contact us about them. Loans are free by default but we accept donations to keep up with maintenance costs.

1

Air Library Scotland @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social · Jul 3

We'll soon have one of these available to borrow alongside our air purifiers
While air purifiers don't remove CO² and so don't impact readings, a monitor like this can show when additional ventilation is needed to achieve good air quality

Edinburgh Mask Bloc @edinmaskbloc.bsky.social · Jun 27

Trotec has an incredible deal for a CO² monitor right now! It requires mains power and weekly calibration, but if you've been looking to have one in your home/workplace and can't afford a portable model like the Aranet, this might be for you!
Link for UK & EU shipping en.trotec.com/shop/bz25-co...

2

Reposted by Air Library Scotland

Edinburgh Mask Bloc @edinmaskbloc.bsky.social · Jun 27

Why a CO² monitor? While it doesn't measure harmful substances like specific pollutants or viruses, they can't linger as long in a space that is well ventilated. High CO² = breathed out virus particles aren't moved out of the space & risk of infection is higher

5 6

Reposted by Air Library Scotland

Edinburgh Mask Bloc @edinmaskbloc.bsky.social · Jun 27

Trotec has an incredible deal for a CO² monitor right now! It requires mains power and weekly calibration, but if you've been looking to have one in your home/workplace and can't afford a portable model like the Aranet, this might be for you!
Link for UK & EU shipping en.trotec.com/shop/bz25-co...

1 9 7

Reposted by Air Library Scotland

Tanya Floaker @floaker.bsky.social · Jul 1

No excuses now Edinburgh event organisers!

Air Library Scotland @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social · Jul 1

We're excited to announce we're now ready to take booking requests for air purifiers in and around Edinburgh! Anyone can borrow & loans are free.
Many thanks to @smartairuk.bsky.social for donating a SA600 and a Blast Mini, enabling this initiative!

Request form: cryptpad.fr/form/#/2/for...

3 10

Reposted by Air Library Scotland

Smart Air UK @smartairuk.bsky.social · Jul 2

We believe clean air should be accessible to all, and we’re so excited to support Air Library Scotland’s initiative to rent out air purifiers for free across Edinburgh.

If you’re in Edinburgh, you can try one out and breathe cleaner air for yourself.

Check it out!
@airlibraryscotland.bsky.social

13 20

Air Library Scotland @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social · Jul 1

We're excited to announce we're now ready to take booking requests for air purifiers in and around Edinburgh! Anyone can borrow & loans are free.
Many thanks to @smartairuk.bsky.social for donating a SA600 and a Blast Mini, enabling this initiative!

Request form: cryptpad.fr/form/#/2/for...

2 15 18

Reposted by Air Library Scotland

Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation (US) @crfoundationus.bsky.social · May 25

Tornadoes devastated many areas of St. Louis & we are mobilizing to provide DIY air filters to combat “Tornado Lung,” a serious respiratory threat. We are committing $2.5k and raising another $2.5k.

Please share & donate: tinyurl.com/CRFSTL2025

In partnership with @maskblocstlouis.bsky.social

Rapid Response: Support St. Louis Tornado Recovery

Help Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation reach their goal by donating or sharing with your friends.

tinyurl.com

1 7 13

Reposted by Air Library Scotland

Clean Air Advocacy Ireland @cleanairie.bsky.social · May 20

"We have the tools to reduce the number of infections in schools, but we are simply not using them properly, or at all."

We have issued this press release in response to the "highly alarming" school absence figures (from 2022-23) released yesterday by the Minister for Education.

Page one of the press release reads as follows:

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ISSUED 19/5/2025
by CLEAN AIR ADVOCACY IRELAND
~ BEGINS ~
Clean Air in Schools could boost Attendance
● Illness is the leading cause of School Absence in Ireland
● Fall in Attendance Shows Need for Urgent Action on Clean Air in
Schools
The recent School Attendance report from Tusla shows a dramatic increase in school
absence, and is an urgent warning sign which should not be ignored by the Department of
Education. The high level of absenteeism is being driven by illness, and this should trigger
immediate action to improve indoor air quality in schools to reduce the spread of common
airborne infections such as flu, RSV, and Covid-19.
Illness consistently accounts for around 60% of absences in schools, and that remains the
case in the latest report for the 2022/23 school year, with illness accounting for 61% of
known absences from Primary Schools and 59% of known absences from Secondary
Schools.
In the 2022/23 school year, absences from Primary Schools were 46% higher than the
18-year average from 2003 to 2019. Absences of longer than 20 days are 128% higher than
the same 18-year average in Primary Schools, and 43% higher in Post-Primary Schools.
Clean Air Advocacy Ireland is calling on the Department of Education to implement
guidelines for schools to manage the air quality in indoor spaces such as classrooms,
canteens, staff rooms, and toilets. Improving indoor air quality through monitoring, ventilation
and filtration has been shown to effectively reduce the transmission of common airborne

Page 2 of the press release reads as follows:

...illnesses. We have the tools to minimise airborne pathogens and reduce the number of
infections, through mechanical ventilation and air filtration, but we are simply not using them
properly, or at all.
There is also existing legislation in Ireland which governs indoor air quality in workplaces,
and schools are places of work for teachers, assistants, and other support staff. Employers,
including school boards, have a legal obligation to monitor indoor air quality and to
implement changes where the air quality is below acceptable levels.
Kieran Ryan, a member of Clean Air Advocacy Ireland, says the Tusla school attendance
report indicates that something is going badly wrong in terms of sickness levels in Irish
schools.
“If we’re talking about increased absences in schools then we need to address the elephant
in the room, which is an overall increase in illness at a population level. As well as common
illnesses such as RSV and seasonal flu, Covid-19 has now added to the burden of illness
faced by students, parents, and teachers.”
“We know that many of these illnesses are spread via airborne transmission, so when
children are packed into poorly-ventilated classrooms sickness spreads like wildfire. Infected
children then bring the illness back to their own homes, and this seeds the further spread of
illness within the community. If we can reduce transmission in schools, then we can reduce
the overall burden of disease within our communities. It’s a win-win.”
“It is not the duty of school principals or teachers to be their own public health experts or
ventilation engineers: They must be given effective guidance & resources by the Department
of Education to ensure that the indoor air quality in schools is safe. The Department is failing
school employees and students by not issuing such guidance or resources.”
~ ENDS ~

1 21 29

Reposted by Air Library Scotland

Safe Air Schools UK @safeairschoolsuk.bsky.social · May 16

🔷What is in the air that our children and teachers breathe in classrooms?

🔷How can we measure & improve it?

Answer: The government says, e.g: 👉 www.gov.uk/guidance/usi...

Why isn’t it happening?

❌Education
❌Legislation
❌Cost

Discuss…

(FYI @werahobhouse.bsky.social)

Picture of a school with sources of info and outdoor air pollution and short/long term health issues

5 10

Air Library Scotland @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social · May 6

Hi BlueSky!

We’re Air Library Scotland. We manage a lending library of air purifiers (starting in Edinburgh but looking to expand across Scotland’s central belt) and help to provide safer indoor air education. Contact us here or at [email protected] for further info!

Two clouds with the sun peeping out from behind. Underneath are three blue pinwheels. Overlaying text reads “Air Library Scotland”.

1 5