IAQ a Key Component for a Successful School Year as Texas Students Return to Classrooms

Over 80,000 students begin classes today at the Austin Independent School District and similar situations are taking place at school districts across Texas.  In fact, close to 5 million students at over 1,000 school districts statewide are ready to begin the 2015-2016 school year.
 
School districts face many challenges when it comes to providing a healthy learning environment for their students.  Unfortunately, many schools have had their maintenance and operating budgets reduced in recent years, and this can contribute to indoor air quality (IAQ) problems.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Evidence from schools and office building studies demonstrate that various environmental conditions are closely associated with the incidence of measurable adverse health effects, and that indoor air quality problems can result in increased absences because of respiratory infections, allergic diseases from biological contaminants, or adverse reactions to chemicals used in the building.”
 
“Just as access to computers, text books, and qualified teachers is important for creating an environment where children can excel, so too is the indoor air quality in classrooms,” said Hollis L. Horner, President, Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.  “Poor indoor air quality is not just a comfort issue. Exposure to elevated levels of particulates, chemicals, and biological contaminants can lead to health concerns.  Inadequate ventilation and temperature fluctuations can also negatively impact a student’s ability to learn.”
 
Helping school districts across Texas and the Gulf Coast provide superior IAQ for their students and faculty are the building science professionals from Indoor Environmental Consultants.  IEC consultants have worked with over 60 school districts in providing on-site observations relative to indoor air quality issues during the construction of new school buildings, and have conducted IAQ testing in more than 225 schools.  With decades of experience, access to the latest real time monitoring equipment, and advanced testing methodologies, they are able to identify issues, develop solutions, and monitor the success of remedial actions.  The end result is a healthy learning environment that allows students to reach their full potential.
 
To learn more about IEC’s indoor air quality testing and consulting services, please visit www.iecinc.net, email ncancino@iecinc.net or call (877) 432-8378.
 
About Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.
IEC began operations in 2001 with some of the nation’s most seasoned professional indoor air quality consultants who already had over 70 years of combined experience.  The indoor environmental quality firm specializes in field investigations and assessments of commercial, institutional and residential buildings.  Their services, related to fungal (mold), chemical, bacterial, asbestos and particulate pollutants, are offered throughout Texas, the Gulf Coast and the Southwest. IEC is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a mold assessment company (ACO0114) and an asbestos consultant agency (100329).
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail