IAQ Challenges in Schools

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IAQ Challenges in Schools have long existed
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IAQ Overview -- Good IAQ Important for Health and
Performance

• 20 of Americans spend their day in school
  buildings
• Over 50 of school buildings are poor in
  ventilation, have sources of pollution
• (1995 GAO report)
• Asthma is increasing at an epidemic
  rate--affecting estimated 6 million children
  under 18
• 1 in 13 school children has asthma
• leading cause of absenteeism due to a chronic
  condition

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IAQ Challenges for Schools
Competing Priorities Balance improving the
physical school facilities (IAQ) with competing
initiatives such as class size, violence, and
improved curricula Deferred Maintenance Unrecogn
ized impacts of poor IAQ
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Reasons to Address IAQ Issues
Avoid . . . costly IAQ crises costly
litigation costly mold remediation Cost
includes health performance trust money
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IAQ Challenges for Schools
Primary barriers to good IAQ in schools I dont
know about it It isnt important It costs
too much I dont have the time I want to
take action, but the others wont
cooperate If I start addressing this, it
will open a can of worms
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EPAs Approach to Challenges
Many IAQ problems can be easily identified and
solved by school staff EPAs Indoor Air Quality
Tools for Schools Kit Provides Guidance Launch
an incentives program for implementing IAQ
TfS holistic approach including outreach,
recruitment, technical assistance and an awards
program
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EPAs Approach to Challenges
Form partnerships with wide array of education
and health advocacy non-profit groups foster
training on IAQ TfS, networking opportunities,
etc Develop guidance and software on new school
construction
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IAQ Challenges for Schools -- What You Can Do
Increase awareness of IAQ impacts and what can
be done to improve IAQ Get a School District to
initiate an IAQ Tools for Schools program Visit
EPAs Web site for more information and free
access to all publications--www.epa.gov/iaq/school
s Register to review the new Tools for New
Schools Web Site--Thompson.Bob_at_epa.gov--TFNS
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IAQ Challenges for Schools
Questions or Comments?
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