Indoor Air Quality: Tools for Helping Your School

EPA developed the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools (TfS) Program to reduce exposures to indoor environmental contaminants in schools through the voluntary adoption of sound indoor air quality management practices.

The IAQ Tools for Schools Program is a comprehensive resource to help schools maintain a healthy environment in school buildings by identifying, correcting, and preventing IAQ problems. Poor indoor air quality can impact the comfort and health of students and staff, which, in turn, can affect concentration, attendance, and student performance. In addition, if schools fail to respond promptly to poor IAQ, students and staff are at an increased risk of short-term health problems, such as fatigue and nausea, as well as long-term problems like asthma.

Since its release in 1995, the IAQ TfS Action Kit has been implemented in hundreds of schools across the country. School districts that have implemented IAQ TfS find that there are common elements to successfully implementing the program.

To learn more about the 8th Annual IAQ TfS National Symposium on December 6th-8th in Washington, DC, visit www.iaqsymposium.com .

Download an informational Symposium Flyer (PDF, 1 page, 58KB, About PDF)

1. Organizing a program with a committed group of individuals dedicated to ensuring good IAQ and with clear support from senior management
2. Assessing current IAQ conditions and issues
3. Creating a Plan outlining a strategic approach to identifying, resolving, and preventing IAQ problems
4. Taking Actions to improve IAQ in the school that lead to increased student and staff health and productivity
5. Evaluating the IAQ management program by tracking and assessing results
6. Communicating the intent, results, and next steps of the IAQ management program

The IAQ TfS Program assists school districts in identifying the actions they can take to successfully plan and implement and effective IAQ management Program.

Products and Materials

The IAQ Tools for Schools Program provides a variety of products, materials, and tools at no cost to help schools implement an indoor air quality management program. In addition to the IAQ TfS Action Kit, specialized fact sheets, brochures, and software programs are available to provide in-depth information on environmental topics.  Available products include the following:

• Mold remediation guidance
• Asthma management information
• Bulletins and newsletters with the latest IAQ information
• Communications Guide
• Case studies on schools that have implemented the IAQ TfS Program
• Fact sheets and brochures about indoor air quality
• Technical tools:
  • Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool (HealthySEAT)
  • Indoor Air Quality Building Education and Assessment Model (I-BEAM)
  • School Advanced Ventilation Engineering Software (SAVES)

News Resources

• Calendar of Events
• Web Conference Information and Resources

Recognition
 

The IAQ TfS Awards Program serves as an incentive for schools to start the program and is designed to recognize schools for their achievements in improving IAQ. Schools can apply for a variety of awards and receive recognition for starting a program or for showing exemplary improvement in IAQ management.