Critical Importance of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a primary concern for both schools and universities, due in part to the age and overall condition of a number of educational buildings. In 2014, the National Center for Education Statistics surveyed a sample of school districts and estimated that the average age of the nation’s main school buildings was 55 years old. Additionally, nearly one-fourth of the nation’s schools have one or more buildings in need of extensive repair or replacement, and nearly half have been reported to have problems related to IAQ. Students spend more than 1,300 hours in a school building each year and need to be protected.
The Air Inside These Facilities Can Contain:
- Molds, spores, pollens
- Carbon monoxide, radon, volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Bacteria, viruses and byproducts
- Vehicle engine exhaust, exhaust from industrial plants
- Asbestos, clays, elemental particles and man-made fibers
Extensive Studies Show:
Students attending schools with poor IAQ score
11 percent lower on standardized tests than those students attending schools in good condition,
according to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Education Research and Improvement
A third or more of U.S. schools
have mold, dust and other indoor air problems serious enough to provoke respiratory issues like asthma in students and teachers
An average of one out of every 10 school-age children
has asthma, which is a leading cause of school absenteeism
The economic cost of asthma amounts to more than
$56 billion annually, including direct medical costs from hospital stays and indirect costs
(e.g. lost school and work days)
The health and comfort of students and teachers are among the many factors that contribute to learning and productivity in the classroom, which in turn affect performance and achievement. In addition, failure to respond promptly and effectively to poor IAQ in schools can lead to an increase in long-term health problems, costly repairs, and potential liability problems.
Optimize Your Environment
Quality air filtration system design, operation and maintenance are critical for providing clean and healthy IAQ in schools. Properly functioning filtration systems clean the air of dirt, dust, pollen, dander, fibers, control odors and reduce the pollutants that cause most IAQ problems inside school buildings. In addition to improving occupant health and performance, regular HVAC maintenance also saves energy.Products & Solutions
