Back-to-School Resources to Enhance Indoor Conditions at Schools and Universities in Puerto Rico

Most students and teachers from across Puerto Rico return to classrooms this month for the start of the new school year. As the 2025 – 2026 school year begins, having a healthy indoor environment is crucial for creating conditions conducive for learning.

After the long summer break, reopening a school building means examining HVAC systems and checking for water damage, mold, and even potentially flushing building water systems to minimize Legionella exposure risks. Since the emergence of COVID, ensuring adequate ventilation, filtration, and infection control procedures are in place are also part of the equation at many schools and universities.

“Just as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states, promoting a healthy learning environment at a school reduces absenteeism, improves test scores, and enhances student and staff productivity,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Indoor environmental quality is not just a comfort issue, exposure to elevated levels of particulates, chemicals, or biological contaminants can all lead to health concerns and learning challenges.”

Dedicated to helping schools and universities optimize indoor conditions are the building science and infection control professionals at Zimmetry Environmental. Their staff of industrial hygienists and indoor environmental quality experts are dedicated to identifying and resolving these types of issues in the built environment. Zimmetry offers facility assessments and inspections; HVAC system evaluations; third-party confirmation of cleaning and disinfection protocols; air, surface, and water testing for environmental pathogens; lead and asbestos monitoring; and training services to ensure the resources are there to keep schools and universities operating safely.

To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their building science, indoor air quality, environmental, and compliance testing and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005, or email info@zimmetry.com.

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail