Controlling Indoor Air Quality in Schools

For years, we have heard tale of the risks that indoor air pollution can bring to our families, but what about our children when in school? After all, with indoor pollutant levels usually 5 times higher than outside pollutants, and 55 million children and adults inside elementary and secondary schools for 180 days a year, the risk of pollutants can be quite high.

Fortunately, in most states, laws are being adapted to ensure the chronically low indoor air quality of schools is fixed. In 1995, for example, the EPA estimated that as many as half of the nation’s public schools had indoor air quality problems. Today, that estimate is much lower, but there are still problems to be fixed and illnesses left unexplained. Moreover, there is a very real cost benefit to improving indoor air quality in schools. Preventative maintenance and cleaning can severely reduce the cost of eventual repairs and liabilities if the situation gets out of hand.

Managing Indoor Air Quality in Schools

The first step for many schools is to determine what problems need to be fixed. School districts are recommended to hire someone to coordinate indoor air quality systems with on-site follow-ups. A full evaluation should be completed to determine if there are any specific risks to be aware of, including:
• Asbestos in the insulation of classrooms, pipes or wiring in the school.
• Lead paint, solder, or pipes in older buildings.
• Proper ventilation in each room of the school.
• Proper cleaning and maintenance of ductwork.
• Frequent testing for potential dangers like mold, radon, and exhaust fumes.

Most schools built in the last 15-20 years comply with modern EPA recommendations but because the majority of public schools are much older, some of them 50 or more years old, the risk of indoor air pollutants existing in the building materials is high. So too is the risk of poor ventilation, contaminants getting in through poorly sealed walls and windows and much more.

Teachers and parents should pay particularly close attention to the health of students and watch for unexplained symptoms. If multiple students show signs of respiratory distress, it may be an indoor air quality issue and should be inspected immediately. Combined with the ongoing efforts of schools districts and legislatures, the air quality in our schools should only continue to improve.