The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council released a series of fact sheets with strategies for improving indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools.
The documents are designed to help people without a technical background, including school board members, teachers, and parents, to understand details about IAQ so that they can make better-informed decisions for their schools. Schools across the country are debating important public health measures to help curb the spread of COVID-19, with indoor air quality measures offering a non-controversial way to increase protection for everyone in schools, according to a USGBC news release.
“In response to feedback from teachers, parents, school board members, and others about the confusing messages they’re getting about indoor air quality strategies, the Center for Green Schools brought together dozens of experts to create simple straightforward resources about the most pressing topics,” the release says. “Studies have shown that good indoor air quality and proper ventilation in schools can improve the health of students, teachers and staff, potentially decreasing sick days and also improve student learning.”
The Center earlier this year released survey results from school districts across the country about their implementation of air quality measures during the pandemic. The survey found that most schools have acted to address air quality, but have struggled with outdated infrastructure and high costs.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Dec 14, 2016
Cities must invest $375 billion to avoid catastrophic global climate change
C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group advocates low carbon infrastructure.
Codes and Standards | Dec 14, 2016
Resilient construction techniques pay for themselves over lifetime of buildings
Spending $340,000 for resiliency would pay for itself over the lifetime of a $10 million structure.
Codes and Standards | Dec 12, 2016
Dept. of Energy launches program to advance zero energy school design
Six school districts and two states are among the first to mainstream zero energy schools.
Codes and Standards | Dec 9, 2016
California city’s plan for net zero building includes net zero water usage
Santa Monica city services building aims for highest level of sustainability.
Codes and Standards | Dec 8, 2016
WELL and BREEAM to align standards
The goal is to make it easier for projects pursuing both standards.
Codes and Standards | Dec 7, 2016
U.S. lumber industry pushes for import duties on Canadian softwood
The industry claims the product is being sold below fair market value.
Codes and Standards | Dec 5, 2016
International Construction Measurement Standards draft released
The goal is to improve consistency for calculating costs and reducing risk.
Codes and Standards | Dec 2, 2016
D.C. Council passes bill to reduce number of blighted properties
The new legislation reduces the amount of time a vacant property can qualify for a lower tax rate.
Codes and Standards | Dec 1, 2016
Passive House standard gaining influence in commercial sector
Some industry watchers predict it will become the base building code.
Codes and Standards | Nov 30, 2016
Researchers finding solutions to bird/building collisions
Glass facades pose a serious risk to birds and cause millions of avian deaths each year.