Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111474

Kenneth F. Foscue, MPH, Environmental & Occupational Health Assessment Program, CT Department of Public Health, MS #11CHA, PO Box 340308, 410 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT 06134-0308, 860-509-7742, kenny.foscue@po.state.ct.us and Eugene Benoit, MA, MS, U.S. EPA Region 1, 1 Congress St., Suite 1100, CAP, Boston, MA 02114-1639.

The extent of indoor air quality (IAQ) problems in U.S. schools is well documented and has been identified as an important public health priority. The U.S.EPA has developed an effective program, Tools for Schools (TfS) to assist schools in identifying and addressing IAQ problems. For 5 years, a statewide consortium of Connecticut state agencies and organizations and has developed and implemented a successful strategy to implement TfS. In 2003, an evaluation project was undertaken to assess the effectiveness (impact/outcome) of TfS in Connecticut schools. A survey instrument was mailed to TfS building team coordinators in 177 schools that had implemented the program, with a total of 77 schools (44%) responding. As a result of utilizing the TfS program to document IAQ problems, most schools reported that they had either remediated/repaired or scheduled for remediation/repair. A large majority that identified two high priority problems were able to rectify them: for ventilation problems, 81%, and for general cleanliness 54%. Strategies, program goals, objectives, methods, evaluation results and lessons learned are described.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to
• identify the major IAQ problems of schools;
• describe four effective strategies for improving IAQ in schools; and
• develop a strategy for evaluating team-based interventions.

Keywords: Indoor Environment, School Health

Related Web page: www.dph.state.us/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.