Indoor Air Quality

INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)

Maintaining healthy indoor air quality is necessary to provide the best learning environment for educating students. That is why Sealy ISD's maintenance department has adapted the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program. The benefit of taking a proactive approach includes:

Improvement in student, teacher and staff comfort
A reduction in indoor air quality complaints
A decrease in absenteeism
Reduction in clinic visits for asthma and asthma treatments
Improvement in student and teacher performance

HOW MAINTENANCE IS WORKING TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY FACILITIES

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE OF HVAC EQUIPMENT AND FILTERS
MOISTURE INSPECTION AND CONTROL THROUGH BUILDING DEHUMIDIFICATION &SEALING OF THE BUILDING ENVELOPE
EFFECTIVE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) TO CONTROL PEST
EFFECTIVE BUILDING CLEANING AND SANITIZING PROTOCOLS
SMART INVENTORY CONTROL THAT REDUCES FOREIGN CONTAMINANTS FROM ENTERING THE BUILDING
SAFELY STORING CHEMICALS IN VENTILATED SPACES OR LIMITING POLLUTANT CAUSING EQUIPMENT
USING BUILDING AUTOMATION AND CONDUCTING ROUTINE IAQ INSPECTIONS

ACTIONS STAFF AND STUDENTS CAN TAKE TO IMPROVE (IAQ)

One of the tools available in IAQ Management is Communication. Staff and students can report Most air quality problems are preventable by school staff through simple and inexpensive measures. The following table identifies common causes of indoor air pollution and how to take corrective measures.

Common Problem	Affect on (IAQ)	Best Practice Solutions
FOOD - improperly stored	Encourages pest habitation	Store in sealable plastic containers
Personal refrigerators / microwaves	Encourage pest habitation Can cause smells Source of mold/mildew	Clean regularly Control/eliminate food debris
Chemicals - including scents	Can cause allergic reactions Aerosols can negatively affect others Usage and storage in schools is regulated	Use only District approved chemicals Obtain cleaning supplies from custodial
Fabrics & Rugs	Harbor dust mites & lice Accumulate dirt, dust, bacteria that can cause allergies, and respiratory problems	Clean on a routine basis Select alternatives whenever possible
Decorations - Hanging & 3D	Accumulate dust and allergens considered fire hazards if combustible	Clean on a routine basis Do not hang over doors, desk, or egress pathways
Clutter	Inhibits good housekeeping accumulating dust, dirt, bacteria Encourages pest habitation Negatively affects school appearance	Keep areas neat & organized Clean routinely
Cardboard	Common pathway for cockroaches into buildings Encourages pest habitation Fire Hazard - combustible	Remove unnecessary cardboard from buildings as soon as possible Use plastic bins or crates instead of cardboard Never use cardboard for storage in food areas
Open Windows & Doors	Pathway for pest & allergens Pathway for unfiltered air Pathway for unconditioned humid air	Keep exterior doors closed if not in use Keep exterior windows closed
Standing water and leaks	Encourages mold & mildew Encourages pest habitation Presents fall hazard	Keep work areas clean and dry Report water intrusion
Dusty air vents	Source of allergens May be indicator of other mechanical issues	Report to custodial If becomes dirty quickly after cleaning report to maintenance
Maintenance & custodial activities	Fumes from paints, cleaners, and floor wax can be an irritant Dust from sanding, especially gypsum is hazardous	Limit use of chemicals to times when space is vacant Use auxiliary fans for improved circulation When sanding catch dust with shop vac
Emissions from equipment	Lab experiments Exhaust from vacuum cleaners Exhaust from floor machines	Ensure lab fans are on and working properly Use HEPA filters in vacuum cleaners, or limit activity around staff and students Limit use of floor machine till staff and students have left
Indoor Plants	Can be source of mold & mildew Can be source of classroom odors Can encourage pest habitation	Keep plants in water tight container Don't over water Remove dead plants immediately

COMMUNICATION IS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL IN IAQ MANAGEMENT

Sharing concerns and reporting strange odors, stains on floors, walls, or ceilings is an effective and important part of maintaining a healthy building environment. Other not so obvious issues that should be reported to maintenance or the campus nurse include the acute short-term symptoms that may be similar to those associated with colds, allergies, fatigue, or the flu. If you have a potential IAQ problem in your classroom or at your campus report it to maintenance immediately so it can be investigated.

Additional information about Tools available for Schools at www.epa.gov/iaq/schools.

Technical Solutions to Common IAQ Issues in Schools

Sealy Independent School District