Here is the third part in our series on maintaining the health and safety of your teachers.
Indoor Air Quality
School employees spend most of their workdays in school buildings and offices. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 30 percent of all structures have an IAQ problem. Much research and attention has been focused on various indoor air contaminants and stressors in buildings. Formaldehyde, radon, bacteria, fungi, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, particulates, nitrogen oxides, ozone, fiberglass, tobacco smoke, temperature, humidity, and poor ventilation top the list and may be a cause of IAQ problems.
Employee symptoms associated with IAQ problems may include eye, nose, throat, and upper respiratory irritation, skin irritation or rashes, chills, fever, cough, chest tightness, congestion, sneezing, runny nose, muscle aches, and pneumonia. Illnesses associated with IAQ problems include asthma, hypersensitivity, pneumonitis, multiple chemical sensitivity, and Legionnaires’ Disease.
How can IAQ Problems be corrected and prevented?
- Ensure an adequate outside air supply. The ventilation system should be operating at the original design specifications.
- Eliminate or control known and potential sources of chemical and microbial air contamination.
What can be done if the air quality is unacceptable?
- Conduct employee interviews to obtain pertinent information regarding what symptoms are experienced, how many employees are affected, when they are involved, where they work, what they do, etc.
- Review building operations and maintenance procedures to determine when and what chemicals are used during cleaning, floor waxing and stripping, painting, gluing, pesticide spraying, roofing operations, renovation and construction activities, etc. Also, determine when furniture deliveries occur since idling vehicles generate exhaust. New carpeting, upholstered furniture, partitions, etc., may release chemical vapors for several months.
- Conduct a walk-through inspection to evaluate possible sources that may contribute to IAQ complaints.
- Inspect the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, window air conditioners, office dehumidifiers, etc., to determine if the systems are working correctly and in good condition.
- Check the schedule for cleaning any air filters present in the system.
- Review the building blueprints of the ductwork and ventilation system to determine if the system is adequately designed.
- Conduct air sampling, if necessary, to determine if specific contaminants are present or if adequate fresh air is being supplied.