Fact sheets offer strategies to improve indoor air quality in schools

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 The survey found that most schools have acted to address air quality, but have struggled with outdated infrastructure and high costs.