Indoor Air in Tribal Schools

1. Indoor Air in Tribal Schools Mansel A Nelson Tribal Environmental Education Outreach Program Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Northern Arizona University nau.edu/iaqtc

2. Indoor Air in Tribal Schools Indoor Air Quality Assessment at Tohono O’Odham IAQ in Tribal Schools EPA IAQ Tools for Schools Open Airways ITEP Resources

3. What are common symptoms indicating IAQ issues in schools? Toronto Sun 12.07.11 nau.edu/iaqtc • Eye, nose, and throat irritation • Coughing, sneezing, and wheezing • Asthma attacks • Headaches • Fatigue • Aggravated allergies and asthma • Respiratory infections

4. What are common concerns in tribal schools? Toronto Sun 12.07.11 nau.edu/iaqtc Many older buildings don’t have active ventilation Schools with HVAC may reduce fresh air intake to conserve energy (and money) Mold (really a moisture issue) Back-logged Maintenance Shortage of custodial staff Obsolete cleaning practices

5. What are pollutant sources in tribal schools? • People – everyone is a source of pollutants • Personal care products • Students & staff with communicable diseases • Radon • Classroom pets • Excess moisture leading to mold • Dry-erase markers and chalk nau.edu/iaqtc

6. What are pollutant sources in tribal schools? (cont.) Cleaning materials Odors from paint, caulk, and adhesives Insects and other pests Odors from trash Outdoor pollutants

7. Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Schools Promote a healthy learning environment at your school to reduce absenteeism, improve test scores and enhance student and staff productivity nau.edu/iaqtc

8. What is the EPA IAQ TfS Program? • Guides & Check lists for • IAQ Coordinator • Teachers • Administrators • Maintenance staff • Health staff • Video Collection • Action plan • Ventilation basics • Walk through guide nau.edu/iaqtc IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html

9. Guides and Checklists nau.edu/iaqtc

10. Framework for IAQ TfS Key Drivers 1.Organize Get buy in from school leadership Create a Team & Coordinator 2. Assess Do initial school walk-through Listen to occupants 3. Plan Prioritize actions Develop goals 4. Act Education of occupants 5. Evaluate Measure impacts Return on Investment (ROI) 6. Communicate Transparent Share results nau.edu/iaqtc

11. Framework for IAQ TfS Technical Solutions • Quality HVAC • Control Moisture/Mold • Integrated Pest Management • Effective Cleaning/Maintenance • Materials Selection • Aggressive Source Control

12. What else could we consider? Measurements Smoke Stick to measure air movement Carbon Dioxide monitor to measure ventilation Carbon monoxide monitor Moisture meters nau.edu/iaqtc

13. Student Involvement Curriculum Resources • Hydroville • www.hydroville.org/air • IAQ Lesson Plans www.neahin.org/educator-resources/ understanding-the-indoor.html • Green Ribbon Schools • http://www.greenribbonschools.org/ nau.edu/iaqtc Curricular activities Assessment Feedback Communication

14. Open Airways for Schools nau.edu/iaqtc • Provided by American Lung Association • Educates and empowers children for asthma self-management. • You can facilitate Open Airways instruction in tribal schools • Become an instructor OR • Connect instructors with schools http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/asthma/in-schools/open-airways/open-airways-for-schools-1.html

15. Conducting Building Assessments nau.edu/iaqtc Provided by Northwest Clean Air Agency • Resources and ideas for building assessments • Information on mold in schools • Measurements in schools • Conducting walk-throughs www.nwcleanair.org/aqprograms/indoorAir.htm

16. More Information Assessment nau.edu/iaqtc EPA Healthy School Environments – www.epa.gov/schools EPA Tools for Schools – www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/ American Lung Association – www.lungusa.org/ Healthy Schools Network – www.healthyschools.org/ OSHA – www.osha.gov/SLTC/indoorairquality/ CDC – www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/indoorenv/ http://www.epa.gov/schools/healthyseat/index.html