Indoor Air Quality and Schools
An issue of growing importance these days is the air quality in our nation's
schools. A study published by the Government Accounting Office and the
Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 8.4 million students
attend schools with poor indoor air quality. Poor air quality can affect a
child's desire and ability to
learn, and can cause them to miss valuable days of school.
EPA's Tools for Schools
In response to this threat, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in
conjunction with the National PTA, National Education Association, Council
for American Private Education, Association of School Business Officials,
American Federation of Teachers, and the American Lung Association, has
developed a packet of materials called Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools.
This kit is designed for use by teachers, school administrators, maintenance
staff, school nurses, community leaders and school boards to help them
improve the air quality in their schools with little or no cost, using
practical actions and in-house staff.
The kit includes an "Indoor Air Quality Problem Solving Wheel;" checklists
for school employees; a step-by-step guide to using the checklists; fact
sheet on pollution sources, symptoms, and solutions; and sample memos and
forms to aid staff in reporting and responding to incidences and notifying
students, staff and parents of new policies.
The "Tools for Schools" kits can be ordered from the Government Printing
Office by calling 202-512-1800.
NSC's Teacher's Guide to Indoor Air Quality
The National Safety Council's Environmental Health Center has developed the
Teacher's Guide to Indoor Air Quality. This guide contains all the
information that
teachers will need to teach an educational unit on indoor air quality. The
guide is designed for use in 4th through 6th grade classrooms and can easily be
incorporated into the general science or health sections of the curriculum.
The activities draw on a variety of students' skills, including: science,
vocabulary,
reasoning, math and basic biology.
If your school is currently using IAQ Tools for School -- this guide is an
excellent companion tool.
For more information, contact a specialist at (800) 557-2366, send us an
E-mail message, or write to us at the address listed below.
Air Quality Program
National Safety Council EHC
1019 19th Street, NW, Suite 401
Washington, DC 20036
Fax: (202) 293-0032
Hal Levin <hlevin@cruzio.com>
2548 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Tel. 408 425 3946 Fax 408 426 6522
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