IAQ Tools for Schools
IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit
IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit shows schools how to carry out a practical plan to improve indoor air problems at little- or no-cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff. The Kit provides best practices, industry guidelines, sample policies, and a sample IAQ management plan.
View the Interactive Version of the Kit
Start Using the Action Kit Today
PDF versions are available for most items, and schools can also download and modify various checklists as MS Word documents (some of the checklists are available in Spanish). The IAQ Problem Solving Wheel, The IAQ Tools for Schools Video Collection are not available electronically, but can be ordered individually free of charge (How to Order).
The IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit is co-sponsored by the National Parent Teacher Association, National Education Association, Association of School Business Officials, American Federation of Teachers, and the American Lung Association.
| Contents of the Action Kit Available for Download |
| Contents of the Action Kit Available for Ordering Only |
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You can view most of the Action Kit in HTML and you can download most of the Action Kit as PDF files.
- Instructions for ordering a free Action Kit
- Find out more about ordering the Action Kit on CD-ROM.
- How to Order
EPA 402-K-07-008 (hard copy)
402-C-05-001 (CD-ROM)
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IAQ Coordinator's Guide This document is designed for the IAQ Coordinator at the school and district levels. It offers guidance on preventing and solving most indoor air problems with minimal cost and coordinating IAQ projects with other members of an IAQ team. The guide provides basic IAQ information, guidance for developing an IAQ management plan, and suggestions for resolving IAQ problems.
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IAQ Reference Guide This guidance provides common-sense measures for preventing, diagnosing, and resolving most indoor air problems with minimal cost and involvement. This guide helps schools understand how IAQ problems develop, the importance of good IAQ, and its impact on students, staff, and building occupants. One section provides suggestions for dealing with an IAQ crisis and for communicating IAQ information to students, staff, parents, and the community. The appendices of this guide offer detailed information on IAQ-related topics including mold, radon, secondhand smoke, asthma, portable classrooms, basic measurement equipment, hiring professional assistance, codes and regulations, and integrated pest management. The document also includes information on typical indoor air pollutants and pollutants from motor vehicles and equipment.
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IAQ Backgrounder This five page guidance document, included in the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit, offers an in-depth description of factors that affect air quality in schools. This document highlights important topics including: why IAQ is important to schools, understanding IAQ problems and solutions, sources of indoor air pollutants (indoor and outdoor sources), and strategies to control building systems that affect air quality. It also emphasizes the importance of the checklists provided for school staff and describes how the checklists can help schools identify problems and respond if IAQ problems exist.
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Checklists and Topic Backgrounders
EPA has designed 11 checklists to engage school staff and key stakeholders in the process of school inspections and sustaining an IAQ management program. Each checklist is accompanied by a Checklist Backgrounder that describes the purpose of the specific checklist. Checklists and Backgrounders are available for: teachers, administrative staff, health officials/school nurses, school officials, and for specific school functions, including building maintenance, food service, waste management, ventilation, renovation and repairs, walkthrough inspections, and pest management. Checklists may be downloaded in MS Word format and tailored or updated to reflect activities at a particular school.
| Administrative Staff | School Officials |
| Building and Grounds Maintenance | Teacher's Classroom |
| Food Service | Ventilation |
| Health Officer/School Nurse | Walkthrough Inspection |
| Integrated Pest Management (IPM) | Waste Management |
| Renovation and Repairs |
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Problem Solving Tool Use this interactive tool! We've taken the IAQ Tools for Schools Problem Solving Wheel and made it available on the web. Click on a health symptom to review a list of possible causes of these complaints. Then, use the resources and checklists available in the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit to identify and respond to IAQ issues. Find out what to do in an emergency. |
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Managing Asthma in the School Environment This newly revised guide offers valuable information for all school staff, especially school nurses, teachers, and maintenance staff, on how to identify and control common environmental factors in schools that trigger asthma attacks. School nurses can share these resources with parents to raise awareness of asthma triggers and to help manage asthma at home and school effectively. Also included are easy tips for managing asthma in schools, including using the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit and Program to improve IAQ in the learning environment.
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IAQ Tools for Schools Framework for Effective School IAQ Management
The Framework for Effective School IAQ Management provides a common language to describe the drivers of IAQ program success; detailed guidance on the proven strategies, organizational approaches and leadership styles that are fundamental to program success; and a clear vision of the pathway to IAQ excellence in schools. Use the Framework to launch, sustain or reinvigorate an effective IAQ management program.
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Managing Radon in Schools
As part of an effective IAQ management program, schools should test for radon to know if radon levels are elevated — and if so, reduce risks to occupants through radon mitigation. Many schools have successfully applied radon mitigation strategies to control indoor radon levels.
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Contents of the Kit Available for Ordering
- Problem Solving Wheel
- The IAQ Tools for Schools Video Collection on DVD featuring: The IAQ Tools for Schools Walkthrough: Four Schools Making a Difference and the IAQ Tools for Schools Taking Action & Ventilation Basics
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Problem Solving Wheel The problem solving wheel is an interactive, user-friendly tool that EPA designed to help school staff identify IAQ emergencies and determine actions to take in an emergency IAQ situation. This resource was designed to help school staff understand various factors related to the indoor environment, such as odors, temperature and humidity problems, illnesses, symptoms of health problems, explanations of and solutions to common problems. The problem solving wheel is included in the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit and is available for order separately.
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The IAQ Tools for Schools
Video Collection DVD This comprehensive Video Collection incorporates three informative films on one convenient DVD. Order the DVD EPA 402-V-08-001 |
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CD-ROM of IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit (EPA 402-C-05-001)
The IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit (January 2009) is also available on CD-ROM. The CD includes most materials in the Action Kit, such as the IAQ Backgrounder, IAQ Coordinator's Guide, IAQ Reference Guide, and checklists in Adobe PDF format. Checklists are also available as MS Word documents (some En Español).
How to Order the Action Kit
The IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit and its components are available free of charge and can be obtained from EPA's National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP):
P.O. Box 42419
Cincinnati, OH
45242-0419
Website:
www.epa.gov/nscep
Phone: 1-800-490-9198
Fax: (301) 604-3408
E-mail:
nscep@bps-lmit.com
NSCEP operates a Toll-free phone service for EPA Publication Assistance with live customer service representative assistance Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:30pm eastern time. Voice Mail is available after operating hours. You can fax or e-mail your publication requests. For technical assistance with NSCEP web pages, write to: nscep_nepis.tech@epa.gov
Please use the EPA Document Number 402-K-07-008 (hard copy) or 402-C-05-001 (CD-ROM) when ordering from NSCEP. See our list of publications at www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs