Just what is the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers doing in a place like Alternative Watch? Reporting that federal government studies show one in five U.S. schools has indoor air quality problems, or IAQ, affecting an estimated 8.4 million students. What’s more, 36 percent of all school officials rated their facility’s heating and ventilation systems as a “less than adequate building feature.”
An article in the summer 2000 issue of the engineering society’s “IAQ Applications” professional journal warned that such air quality problems in the classrooms and hallways can lead to drowsiness, lack of concentration and headaches.
Not exactly prime conditions for learning.
Poor air quality can also affect physical growth and development, says Charlene Bayer, author of the article and chemical engineering researcher at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Plus, the number of American schoolchildren with asthma has increased 49 percent since 1982, according to the American Lung Association. These students are at particular risk when indoor air quality is compromised.
Bayer says parents and school officials should be aware of several issues when considering indoor air quality for students:
Most IAQ problems can be avoided by providing an adequate amount of outdoor air on a continuous basis.
Another effective measure is controlling relative humidity within a range of 30 to 60 percent.
Continuous ventilation (where a system runs 24 hours a day) can reduce quality variances.
Plug-in chemical deodorizers and even art supplies in individual classrooms should be monitored for pollutant levels. Copy machines and other office equipment should be placed in well-ventilated areas, rather than wherever there is room.
Individual room thermostats have helped some schools improve overall air quality.
Also, air filtration systems that prevent mold spores and fungi from entering the heating and ventilation system from the outside air should be installed.
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