Authors: Leyla Erk McCurdy, MS, Director, National Programs, American Lung Association; Mary Beth Smuts, PhD, Indoor Air Branch, US EPA Region 1; Hal Levin, Research Architect, Building Ecology Research Group; Darryl Alexander, CIH, American Federation of Teachers, moderator.
Poor indoor air quality in schools is a public health problem affecting the health and learning of our nation's children. Improving air quality in schools through voluntary implementation of Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (TfS) is an American Lung Association (ALA) priority program nationwide. ALA is the leading national organization promoting TfS in partnership with the U.S. EPA; ALA's goal is improve the respiratory health of all children in schools, especially asthmatic children who can suffer asthma attacks triggered by pollutants in their schools. Currently nearly 1 in 13 school-aged children has asthma which is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism leading to 10 million missed school days per year. ALA and EPA presenters will discuss how TfS as an easy to use protocol that shows personnel how to resolve or prevent IAQ problems and discuss successes and barriers in implementation. Meanwhile, ASHRAE's concensus codes committee on Ventilation for Acceptable IAQ is proposing a significant reduction in ventilation rates in schools and other densely occupied spaces. In at least one state, the proposed changes have resulted in rewriting school building codes. Panelists will discuss their perspectives on ASHRAE's proposals and TfS' potential for broadly impacting school IAQ.
Learning Objectives: Successes and barriers in implementing voluntary protocols for school iaq clean-ups; ASHRAE proposals to reduce school ventilation rates may threaten or change iaq protocols
Keywords: Indoor Environment, Asthma
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.