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School Environmental Quality

Types of IAQ Problems

Schools face a variety of potential IAQ problems, and every school's IAQ is different. Schools may experience IAQ problems caused by:

•  Biological contaminants (mold, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, etc.)

•  Carbon dioxide (CO2 )

•  Carbon monoxide (CO)

•  Dust

•  Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) or Secondhand Smoke

•  Lead (Pb)

•  Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2 )

•  Pesticides

•  Radon (Rn)

•  Other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (formaldehyde, solvents, cleaning agents)

•  HVAC System: the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is not able to control air pollutant levels and/or ensure thermal comfort

What Should I Know about School IAQ and Children's Health?

IAQ in schools is important because good IAQ can promote student, teacher, and staff health and performance, while poor IAQ in schools can lead to health problems and diminished performance. Failure to prevent or quickly resolve IAQ problems can:

•  Increase the potential for short-term and long-term health problems (e.g., asthma, the number one cause of student absenteeism)

•  Increase student, teacher, and staff absenteeism

•  Reduce student, teacher, and staff productivity

•  Accelerate deterioration and reduce efficiency of heating/cooling equipment

•  Strain relationships among school administration, teacher, parents, and staff

•  Create potential liability problems