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.