Poor Air Quality in Schools and How Building Professionals Can Help
07-09-2024
Sadly, a staggering 50 percent of schools grapple with Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) issues (American Lung Association). That's half of our children breathing in bad air for up to 1,000 hours every school year. This is unacceptable.
Children's developing bodies are more vulnerable to environmental exposures than those of adults. This is because kids breathe more air, eat more food, and drink more liquid in relation to their body weight compared to adults (EPA). Therefore, it is crucial for building professionals to prioritize IAQ when designing, renovating, or maintaining school buildings.
How Poor IAQ Impacts Students
Poor IAQ can lead to a range of health problems for students and staff, including headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, coughing, sneezing, dizziness, nausea, and irritation of the eye, nose, throat, and skin (EPA). Asthma, the leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic illness, is often exacerbated by poor indoor air, leading to about 10 million missed school days each year (NIH). Improving IAQ is a direct pathway to enhancing student health and educational outcomes.
The impact is not just on health. The EPA finds that poor IAQ can negatively influence students' cognitive functions, leading to decreased ability to focus on tasks and learn effectively. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finds poor indoor air quality is linked to higher rates of absenteeism and a general decline in academic achievements.
Additionally, poor IAQ can increase the potential for school closings or relocation of occupants, strain relationships among school administration, parents, and staff, create negative publicity, impact community trust, and create liability problems (EPA).
Contributing Factors to Poor IAQ
The aging infrastructure of our public school system is one of the top causes of poor IAQ in schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average school building is 49 years old. In 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave U.S. public schools a D+ on its Infrastructure Report Card. They found annual funding to maintain school buildings falls about $38 billion short.
Several factors contribute to poor IAQ in schools, such as:
- Inadequate ventilation
- Building materials, furnishings and cleaning products that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Moisture, mold and water damage
- Poorly maintained HVAC systems
- Outdoor pollutants
- Vehicle exhaust from idling cars and school buses
Additionally, older school buildings may have asbestos, lead, or other harmful materials that can degrade air quality (EPA).
Strategies for Improving IAQ in Schools
Building professionals can have a pivotal role in enhancing IAQ by choosing products that emit low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are free from formaldehyde. Products that are GREENGUARD certified and CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly®, like Knauf Performance+™ Insulation, meet stringent standards for low emissions and are safe for sensitive individuals.
Additional strategies to improve IAQ in schools:
- Ensure proper ventilation including opening windows for natural ventilation.
- Maintain HVAC systems.
- Use air purifiers in classrooms.
- Reduce dampness and mold. Humidifiers/dehumidifiers can keep humidity levels between the ideal of 40% and 50%.
- Install carbon monoxide and radon detectors.
- Replace carpet with hard surface flooring which allows easier cleaning. Flooring should be mopped or vacuumed rather than swept.
- Use healthier cleaning products and store them properly.
Improving IAQ in schools not only promotes better health but also enhances academic outcomes. With these strategies, building professionals can create healthier learning environments that support the well-being and academic success of students and staff alike.