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Indoor Environmental Quality. School Health and Safety Inspection Workshop Spokane Regional Health District School Safety Program Thursday, May 5, 2011. Presented by: Kerri Lunstroth , School Board Director East Valley School District lunstrothk@evsd.org 509-999-7164. Outcomes.
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Indoor Environmental Quality School Health and Safety Inspection Workshop Spokane Regional Health District School Safety Program Thursday, May 5, 2011 Presented by: Kerri Lunstroth, School Board Director East Valley School District lunstrothk@evsd.org 509-999-7164
Outcomes • Expand the definition and characteristics of indoor air quality. • Recognize the importance of a safe and healthy learning environment for students and staff. • Increase awareness of indoor air/environmental quality conditions and issues.
What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)? • The definition has now been expanded • Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) includes: • Indoor Air Quality • Thermal Quality • Lighting Comfort • Sound Quality • Odor Quality • Vibration Quality
Ariel’s Air Quality Index -East Valley School District Districthttp://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_08-09 AIRNow – Washington http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state
How does IAQ affect enrollment? Proactive Maintenance in Schools Schools without a major maintenance backlog have a higher average daily attendance by an average of 4 to 5 students per 1,000 and a lower annual dropout rate by 10 to 13 students per 1,000.
Supporting Evidence from Scientific Literature EPA website: “How Indoor Air Quality Impacts Student Health and Academic Performance” http://epa.gov/iaq/schools/student_performance/index.html Michele Curreri – EPA Indoor Tools for Schools Program
Good Indoor Environmental Quality improves student performance Many districts throughout the nation have studied the impact of improved indoor environmental quality resulting in: • Heightened concentration • Higher performance levels • Reduced absenteeism • Increased test scores • Lower drop out rates
Indoor Environmental Quality is Important in our Schools Kids are precious and they are our future and Parents expect us to provide a safe and healthy environment and Children are more vulnerable to environmental hazards • Immune system still developing • Breathe in more air per pound of body weight • Depend on adults for their health and safety
Other Resources A few of the many resources available: • The Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) • American Association of School Administrators (AASA) – Urban Rural Healthy Schools Coalition • WSU Cooperative Extension • Northwest Clean Air Agency • Washington State Department of Health • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) • Comprehensive toolkit provided today
Good Practice SolutionsEric Dickson, ESD 101Rich Prill, WSU Extension Energy Program The following facts sheets are available on the WSU Energy Program website for download and adding to resource CD: http://www.energy.wsu.edu/PublicFacilitiesSupport/IndoorAirQuality.aspx • Why measure CO2 in buildings • IAQ News (school newsletter archives) • School Indoor Air Quality Assessment and Program Implementation • H.E.L.P. for Kids Project • 3-Step School Implementation Program