Resources to Optimize the Indoor Air Quality of Schools and Universities

Millions of students and teachers return to classrooms for the new school year during the months of August and September. While the COVID pandemic brought new attention to the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) at schools and universities, it has been known for years that student performance and attendance can be impacted by IAQ conditions.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been advocating for programs that promote healthy IAQ to improve health, increase students’ ability to learn, improve test scores and also improve adult productivity in the school system for long before the pandemic. The agency warns that failing to prevent or respond promptly to IAQ problems can increase long- and short-term health effects for students and staff, such as:

• Coughing
• Eye irritation
• Headaches
• Allergic reactions
• Aggravate asthma and/or other respiratory illnesses
• In rare cases, contribute to life-threatening conditions such as Legionnaire’s disease or carbon monoxide poisoning

“COVID resulted in a number of schools and universities taking steps to increase ventilation rates and invest in air purification and filtration systems to mitigate the spread of the virus,” said Franco Seif, President of Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “Those actions have also often helped to decrease exposure to other airborne viruses, mold, bacteria, chemicals, odors, particulate matter and other contaminants. These programs should be monitored to ensure they continue to work as planned. Unfortunately, some districts haven’t implemented these types of changes and continue to face challenges when it comes to providing environmental conditions that are conducive for student success.”

To help in this effort, the building science and indoor air quality professionals at CSC offer facility assessments and inspections; HVAC system evaluations; 3rd party confirmation of cleaning and disinfection protocols; air, surface and water testing for environmental pathogens, heavy metals and asbestos; and training services to ensure school officials have the knowledge and expertise to optimize indoor conditions.

CSC also recently sponsored and educational video about the importance of IAQ for student performance that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/M-XiWO44KL0

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, building science, infection control, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail