Reference Guide for Indoor Air Quality in Schools

This EPA “common-sense” reference guide—an anchor module of the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit—walks K-12 leaders through preventing, diagnosing and solving most classroom air-quality problems with minimal cost. Five core sections explain why IAQ matters academically and medically; how pollution sources, HVAC design, building pathways and occupant activities interact; how to communicate effectively with staff, parents and media during routine management or crises; and step-by-step methods for investigating and correcting issues such as mold, radon, combustion gases or moisture. A final section provides low-cost, practical solutions keyed to typical school constraints. Twelve detailed appendices supply ready-to-use checklists and background on hiring professionals, selecting basic monitoring equipment, asthma triggers, portable classrooms, integrated pest management and relevant codes.
Throughout, the guide stresses that good IAQ hinges on three practices—controlling pollutant sources, providing adequate outdoor air and maintaining comfortable temperature-humidity—and links each to student attendance, reduced asthma attacks and improved concentration. Designed for facility managers, school nurses, administrators and custodial staff, the guide can be implemented with existing personnel and serves as the instructional backbone for EPA’s IAQ management framework.