Indoor Air Quality in Schools

Students thrive in school environments that are healthy and safe. Improving indoor air quality helps to prevent the spread of disease and reduce chronic absenteeism by removing asthma triggers, such as pollutants and irritants. Upgrades to school facilities can help improve indoor air quality, improve comfort and health conditions, support student learning, and provide reductions in energy bills. To get started, school officials can: 

• Establish an Indoor Air Quality Management Plan that assesses indoor air quality, plans for upgrades and improvements and includes HVAC inspections and maintenance.    
• Optimize fresh air ventilation by bringing inside and circulating clean outdoor air
• Enhance air filtration using the central HVAC system and in-room air cleaning devices
• Get the community engaged by communicating with families the plan to improve the air quality of the school building. 

Resources

Schools and districts may use a variety of actions and funding sources to ensure a healthy and safe indoor air environment. The resources below include action steps and funding for improving indoor air quality: 

• The Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit shares a practical plan for improving the indoor air quality in your school at little-or-no cost. 
• The Efficient and Healthy Schools Campaign provides technical assistance and recognition to those schools who seek to implement high impact indoor air quality and efficiency improvements that improve efficiency and student and staff health.
• The Financing Efficient and Healthy Retrofits describes funding opportunities for schools to implement energy-efficiency upgrades. 
• The Healthy Indoor Environments in Schools: Plans, Practices and Principles for Maintaining Healthy Learning Environments includes a webinar series on planning, implementing, and maintaining healthy learning environments for students. 
• The Ventilation in Schools and Childcare Programs includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance on ventilation and maintaining a healthy environment. 

Last Modified: 12/2/2024 8:46:53 PM

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