IAQ Tools for Schools At-a-Glance for State School Environmental Health Guidelines

IAQ Tools for Schools is a flexible, comprehensive resource for environmental health in school buildings. The IAQ Tools for Schools approach provides strategies and a robust suite of tools to help schools identify, correct, and prevent a wide range of environmental health and safety risks, and to put in place a sustainable system to institutionalize a successful program at the school or school district level. The framework provides a common language to describe the drivers of IAQ program success; detailed guidance on the proven strategies, organizational approaches, and leadership styles that are fundamental to program effectiveness; and a clear vision of the pathway to school IAQ excellence. Its highly flexible and adaptable structure allows any school or school district, regardless of location, size, budget, or condition, to use the framework to launch, reinvigorate, and sustain an effective indoor air quality management program.

The Framework for Effective School IAQ Management: Six Key Drivers

Six key drivers of the EPA Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools framework. The Key Drivers are the essential functions of effective and enduring indoor air quality management programs: Organize, Communicate, Assess, Plan, Act, and Evaluate.

The core elements of the IAQ Tools for Schools Framework are the Key Drivers and the Technical Solutions. The Key Drivers are the essential functions of effective and enduring indoor air quality management programs: Organize, Communicate, Assess, Plan, Act, and Evaluate. The Technical Solutions define the most common issues that schools need to address to effectively manage indoor air quality risks: Quality HVAC, Control of Moisture and Mold, Integrated Pest Management, Effective Cleaning and Maintenance, Smart Materials Selection, and Aggressive Source Control.

Learn more about the IAQ Tools for Schools Framework.

The Framework for Effective School IAQ Management: Six Technical Solutions

Quality HVAC

Inspect HVAC systems regularly
Establish a maintenance plan
Change filters regularly and ensure condensate pans are draining
Provide outdoor air ventilation according to ASHRAE Standard or local code
Clean air supply diffusers, return registers, and outside air intakes
Keep unit ventilators clear of books, papers, and other items

Control of Moisture/Mold

Conduct routine moisture inspections
Establish mold prevention and remediation plan
Maintain indoor humidity levels between 30% and 60%
Address moisture problems promptly
Dry wet areas within 24-48 hours

Strong Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Inspect and monitor for pests
Establish an IPM plan
Use spot treatments and baits
Communicate with occupants prior to pesticide use
Mark indoor and Outdoor areas treated with pesticides

Effective Cleaning and Maintenance

Conduct routine inspections of school environment
Develop a preventable maintenance plan
Train cleaning/maintenance staff on protocols
Ensure materials safety data sheets (MSDS) are available to staff
Clean and remove dust with damp cloth
Vacuum using high-efficiency filters

Smart Materials Selection

Maintain products inventory
Develop low-emitting products purchasing and use policies
Use only formaldehyde-free materials
Use only low toxicity and low-emitting paint
Select products based on product rating systems
Use least toxic cleaners possible (only those approved by the district)

Aggressive Source Control

Conduct regular building walkthrough inspections
Test for radon; mitigate if necessary
Implement a hazardous materials plan (use, label, storage, and disposal)
Establish a school chemical management and inventory plan
Implement Smoke Free policies
Establish an anti-idling school bus policy
Use walk-off mats at building entrances
Conduct pollutant-releasing activities when school is unoccupied