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  2. Indoor Air Quality in Schools

How big a problem is poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools?

Indoor levels of air pollutants can be two to five times higher (and occasionally 100 times higher) than outdoor levels. Nearly 56 million people (approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population) spend their days inside elementary and secondary schools. In 1999, the National Center for Education Statistics of the U.S. Department of Education reported that approximately 25 percent of public schools described unsatisfactory ventilation, while 20 percent of schools told of unsatisfactory IAQ. IAQ problems can cause discomfort and contribute to short- and long-term health problems for students and staff.

Learn more on EPA's IAQ in Schools website.

Read the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit for information about starting an IAQ management plan in your school.

Indoor Air Quality in Schools

  • Indoor Air Quality Homepage
  • Learn about IAQ in Schools
    • Information for Parents and Students
    • Take Action to Improve IAQ in Schools
    • Why IAQ is Important to Schools
  • IAQ Tools for Schools Resources
    • Framework for Effective School IAQ Management
    • IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit
    • IAQ Tools for Schools Preventive Maintenance Guidance Documents
    • IAQ Tools for Schools Video Resources
  • On-Demand Training Webinars
    • Healthy Indoor Environments in Schools Webinar Series
    • IAQ Knowledge-to-Action Professional Training Webinar Series
    • IAQ Master Class Professional Training Webinar Series
  • Understanding IAQ Benefits
    • High Performance Schools
    • Improving Academic Performance
    • Managing Asthma in Schools
    • Managing Radon in Schools
  • Healthy School Renovations
    • Energy Savings Plus Health Guidance
    • IAQ Design Tools for Schools
  • Connecting and Networking
    • EPA Programs Supporting Healthy Schools
    • School IAQ Champions
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Publications
Contact Us about Indoor Air Quality in Schools
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on October 14, 2024
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