U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Managing Asthma in Schools through “Good” Indoor Air Quality

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Managing Asthma in Schools through “Good” Indoor Air Quality

2. Scope of Problem • Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to a chronic condition, accounting for 14,000,000 missed school days per year. • Asthma is the leading childhood illness which contributes to increased absenteeism, emergency room visits, and for some, it has lead to decreased physical activity. • 75% of schools report needing to spend money on repairs, renovations, and modernizations to put schools’ onsite buildings in overall good condition. Source: U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics. “Condition of America’s Public School Facilities.” 1999 Report. • According to CDC, childhood asthma has increased on average between 3.8 to 6.9 new cases.

3. IAQ Contaminants • Pests • Pet dander • Radon • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) • Dust • Poor ventilation • Pesticides • Mold • Art Supplies Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can lead to headaches, dizziness, sleepiness, and eye and throat irritations inhibiting performance in the classroom

4. IAQ Contaminants • Personal Care Products • Aerosol and solid room deodorants • Vehicle exhaust • Cleansers • Adhesives • Paints • Carpet • Formaldehyde In addition to the physical symptoms experienced by school occupants, if these contaminants are not managed properly, schools risk spending thousands in remediation costs.

5. Asthma

7. What does Asthma feel like? When your airways react, they get narrower and your lungs get less air. This can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing, especially early in the morning or at night.

8. Symptoms • Coughing, especially at night • Wheezing • Shortness of breath • Chest tightness, pain, or pressure

9. Symptoms • Severe wheezing when breathing both in and out • Coughing that won't stop • Very rapid breathing • Chest pain or pressure • Tightened neck and chest muscles, called retractions • Difficulty talking • Feelings of anxiety or panic • Pale, sweaty face • Blue lips or fingernails

10. What Can You Do?

11. Know your Asthma Triggers

12. Asthma Triggers Most common: • Pets • Cockroaches • Mold • Secondhand smoke • Dust mites Others: Respiratory infections, Pollen, outdoor air, pollution, exercise, food allergies, cold air exposure.

18. EPA Publications

19. EPA Publications

20. EPA Publications

21. EPA Publications

22. Jump to main content. • Indoor Air Quality • Contact UsSearch: All EPA This Area • You are here: EPA Home • Air • Indoor Air Quality News EPA launches the Radon Living Healthy & Green Media Campaign The National Asthma Forum was June 4-5, 2009 Radon Action Week is October 18th-24th • Local Navigation • Air Home • About Us • Basic Information • Where You Live • A to Z Subject Index • Frequently Answered Questions • Publications • Science • Related Links • Glossary of Terms • Media/PSAs • ESPAÑOL • Children's Health • IAQ in Homes • IAQ in Large Buildings • Green Buildings • Partnership for Clean Indoor Air • Smoke-free Homes and Cars Program • Homeland Security and Indoor Environments • Interagency Committee on IAQ (CIAQ) • EPA Home • Privacy and Security Notice • Contact Us • Share • Del.icio.us • Digg • Facebook • reddit • Slashdot • StumbleUpon • What is this? • Last updated on Tuesday, June 16th, 2009. • http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ • Print As-Is • Jump to main content.

23. IAQ Tools for Schools Program

24. The Framework for Effective School IAQ Management

25. The Framework for Effective School IAQ Management: Six Key Drivers

26. The Framework for Effective School IAQ Management: Six Technical Solutions

27. The Framework for Effective School IAQ Management: Six Technical Solutions Quality HVAC  Inspect HVAC systems regularly  Establish a maintenance plan  Change filters regularly and ensure condensate pans are draining  Provide outdoor air ventilation according to ASHRAE Standard or local code  Clean air supply diffusers, return registers, and outside air intakes  Keep unit ventilators clear of books, papers, and other items Effective Cleaning & Maintenance  Conduct routine inspections of school environment  Develop a preventative maintenance plan  Train cleaning/maintenance staff on protocols  Ensure material safety data sheets (MSDS) are available to staff  Clean and remove dust with damp cloth  Vacuum using high-efficiency filters Smart Materials Selection  Maintain products inventory  Develop low-emitting products purchasing and use policies  Use only formaldehyde-free materials  Use only low-toxicity and low-emitting paint  Select products based on product rating systems  Use least toxic cleaners possible (only those approved by the district) Control of Moisture/Mold  Conduct routine moisture inspections  Establish mold prevention and remediation plan  Maintain indoor humidity levels between 30% and 60%  Address moisture problems promptly  Dry wet areas within 24-48 hours Strong Integrated Pest Management (IPM)  Inspect and monitor for pests  Establish an IPM plan  Use spot treatments and baits  Communicate with occupants prior to pesticide use  Mark indoor and outdoor areas treated with pesticides Aggressive Source Control Conduct regular building walkthrough inspections  Test for radon; mitigate if necessary  Implement a hazardous materials plan (use, label, storage and disposal)  Implement Smoke-Free policies  Establish an anti-idling school bus policy  Use walk-off mats at building entrances  Conduct pollutant-releasing activities when school is unoccupied

28. The Framework for Effective School IAQ Management

29. Fundamental Elements of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

30. People Pathway IAQ Problems... Pollutant

31. There are two sides to IAQ “coin” School Occupants District • Building structure • Ventilation • Landscaping / pest control • Etc. • Art & science materials • Household cleaners • Personal care products • Activities, awareness, etc. Communication

32. Take control of your IAQ by understanding the root causes of poor IAQ • Basic knowledge • Typical activities • Poor Communication Tools for Schools can help!

33. What do we add to our air? This is our totally enclosed room. Doors, windows closed and no ventilation. Now let’s add a few people, some building furnishings, etc. What goes into the air? It wasn’t me!

36. If you’ve got good air exchange – ventilation - you can get away with adding contaminants to your air – to some extent. It so wasn’t me!

37. If you don’t … make sure you know how to keep your bubble of air as clean as possible. I won’t eat that again!

38. How to Get Started? • Designate a team coordinator • Form a team of staff including a teacher, nurse, custodial/maintenance, and parent • Review the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit, establish meeting times and responsibilities, schedule teacher surveys and school walkthrough activities.

39. Pass through vent to a Chemical storage closet T-Stat covered – Has a nearby heat source Room has heavy to Excessive clutter

40. Ozone Air Purifier Return air grille is obstructed Blocked or covered

41. Learn a little about how your ventilation system works. Outside air gets pulled in here.

44. Resources

45. EPA Regional Offices are here for you! Partnerships Local American Lung Association Local Health Department Technical Assistance IAQ Workshops Website: http://www.epa.gov/region4/air/radon/

46. IAQ TfS Resources • IAQ Tools for Schools Program • www.epa.gov/iaq/schools • Schools IAQ Connector Listserv: • Send a blank e-mail message to schools_iaq_connector-subscribe@lists.epa.gov. Then, check your e-mail inbox for your confirmation and membership details. • IAQ Tools for Schools Updates and E-mails— • Send an e-mail to: IAQTfSConnector@cadmusgroup.com • View archives at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/bulletins.html • IAQ Tools for Schools Webinar Resources • http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/webconferences.html

47. IAQ TfS Resources cont. • IAQ Tools for Schools Awards Program: http://epa.gov/iaq/schools/awards.html • Applications due Friday, October 8th, 2010 • IAQ TfS Regional Contacts: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html • Ordering IAQ Tools for Schools Materials: • Contact National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) • http://www.epa.gov/nscep • Phone: 1-800-490-9198 Fax: 301-604-3408 • Email: nscep@bps-lmit.com

48. Other Resources for Schools • Federal Interagency Committee on Indoor Air Quality (CIAQ): • http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ciaq/ • New EPA Guidance on Siting of School Facilities: • http://www.epa.gov/schools/siting.html • National Education Association (NEA) new online training course: • “What’s Your IEQ? A Roadmap to School Indoor Environmental Quality.” A part of NEA’s Online Academy http://www.neaacademy.org

49. EPA Asthma Program Resources • National Asthma Forum • June 17-18, 2010 • Washington, DC • https://www.epaasthmaforum.com • AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org – Communities in Action • www.asthmacommunitynetwork.org/ • Air Quality Index (AQI) • http://www.airnow.gov

50. Thanks for your attention! Lashon Blakely (EPA Region 4) Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program Manager 404-562-9136 Michele Curreri (EPA Headquarters) Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools National Program Manager 202-343-9099 Heidi LeSane (EPA Region 4) Asthma Program Manager 404-562-9074