These levels of indoor air pollutants are of particular concern because most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times - and occasionally more than 100 times - higher than outdoor levels.
Most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can impact their health, but indoor air pollution can also have significant and harmful health effects. Section 1 - Why IAQ Is Important to Your School Use the information in this Guide to create the best possible learning environment for students and maintain a comfortable, healthy building for school occupants. There are numerous resources available to schools through EPA and other organizations, many of which are listed in Appendix L. In addition, schools investigating or resolving IAQ problems may want to refer to appendices on basic measurement equipment, hiring professional assistance and codes and regulations. Schools may find the explanations of integrated pest management programs, typical indoor air pollutants and pollutants from motor vehicles and equipment helpful while developing school policies or pinpointing sources of poor IAQ. Refer to the appendices of this Guide for detailed information on IAQ-related topics including: Section 4, Section 5 and Section 6 contain valuable information for schools that need assistance diagnosing and responding to IAQ problems with inexpensive, practical solutions. Schools dealing with an IAQ crisis will find the section on communication particularly helpful. The next step, which is outlined in Section 3, is communicating this important information with: Section 1 and Section 2 of this Guide help schools understand how IAQ problems develop, the importance of good IAQ and its impact on students, staff and building occupants.
However, some actions may require specialized expertise. You can accomplish this using current school staff to perform a limited and well-defined set of basic operations and maintenance activities. In recognition of tight school budgets, this guidance is designed to present practical and often low-cost actions you can take to identify and address existing or potential air quality problems. Poor IAQ can lead to a large variety of health problems and potentially affect comfort, concentration and staff/student performance. Understanding the importance of good indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is the backbone of developing an effective IAQ program.
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