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Indoor Air Quality in Schools

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According to U.S. EPA, 20 percent of the U.S. population spend their days in elementary and secondary schools.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is not just a comfort issue; it’s a critical health and learning issue. With half of our nation’s 115,000 schools report problems linked to indoor air quality, the impact on student health and academic performance cannot be overstated. Young students, who are particularly vulnerable to pollutants due to their developing bodies and the significant amount of time spent indoors, face increased risks from airborne contaminants that can provoke a range of respiratory issues, allergies, and other health problems.”

If students and teachers aren’t healthy and comfortable, learning and productivity suffers, which in turn affects performance and achievement.

Schools can improve the indoor environment by systematically and aggressively addressing these technical solutions:

Ensuring Quality Inspection, Operation, and Maintenance of the School’s Heating, Ventilation and Air
Conditioning System
Active, Aggressive Control of Moisture and Mold
Strong Integrated Pest Management
Effective, Consistent Cleaning & Maintenance Activities
Smart, Low-Emitting, Low-Toxicity Materials Selection
Aggressive Source Control

Download the EPA’s “Indoor Air Quality Tools For Schools: Preventive Maintenance Guidance Documents.”

What should you do if your school or your child’s school has a problem with indoor air quality?

Learn about U.S. EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program. There you can learn about indoor air quality, health effects, and how student performance is affected.
Talk to the school’s principal. Describe the problem, giving dates and times of day, where possible. Ask if the school maintenance staff can investigate the problem. Volunteer to help the school coordinate an indoor air quality program. Visit EPA’s website to learn how parents can work productively with schools to improve indoor air.
If the principal will not help, talk to the superintendent or facilities director. Ask a school board member to help if you are having trouble getting their attention.
If you do not get a response, contact the Indiana State Department of Health (317-351-7190), and ask them to conduct an inspection. If your school is in Marion County, you can contact the Marion County Public Health Department (317-221-2266).

According to IC 20-10.1-33, the Indiana State Department of Health is required to inspect schools for indoor air quality problems when it receives a complaint. As a result of the inspection, ISDH must produce a report and provide it to:

the person who complained about the quality of air in the school;
the school’s principal;
the superintendent of the school district, if the school is part of a school district;
the Indianastate board of education, if the school is a public school or an accredited nonpublic school;
the appropriate local or county board of health.

ISDH is also required to assist the school in developing a reasonable plan to improve air quality conditions found in the inspection.

See Indiana’s Law on Indoor Air Quality in Schools at IC 20-10.1-33-3 for more details on the law or view an IAQ Help Sheet for Schools from the Indiana Department of Education.