Indoor Air Quality Issues Face Some Returning Students and Faculty
Earlier this month, The Olympian reported that a high school in Tumwater, Washington was working to remove mold and make repairs before the students begin the new school year next month. Stories like this are common across many school districts as they use the summer months to perform repairs, preventive maintenance work and to complete construction projects.
Schools that are undergoing or have recently completed repairs, renovations or remodeling activities can face indoor air quality challenges due to the dust and debris that is created. These projects can easily aerosolize dusts that may contain potentially harmful materials such as mold, lead or asbestos. These substances can be spread throughout a school if proper procedures, containment and cleaning activities have not taken place. New construction materials and furnishings can also release high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.
Some of the tell-tale signs that health complaints in a school may be indoor air quality related may include:
- Health complaints associated with particular times of the day or week.
- Other occupants in the same area experiencing similar problems.
- Health complaints that end when the students or faculty leave the building and recur when they return.
- The school has recently been renovated or refurnished.
- Students or faculty have recently begun working with new or different materials or equipment at school.
- New cleaning or pesticide products or practices have been introduced.
- Smoking is allowed near the school.
- New animals have been introduced into the classroom.
“Indoor air quality and indoor environmental issues can be caused by a wide range of conditions and pollutants,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “These may include mold, bacteria, VOCs, pesticides, pollen, dust mites, animal dander, latex, radon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, asbestos, lead, high humidity levels, and temperature fluctuations to name just a few. EMSL offers analytical services and testing equipment to identify indoor environmental hazards to protect students and faculty from potential IAQ problems.”
EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about IAQ in schools. It can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ktQGXR5xPA.
To learn more about IAQ testing services or other environmental, health and safety issues, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.
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mold in schools- Contact Information
- Joseph Frasca
- Senior Vice President of Marketing
- EMSL Analytical, Inc.
- (1) (856) 303-2503
- Contact via E-mail
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