December 22, 2006—The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently presented the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools national awards to schools and school districts that have exemplary indoor air quality (IAQ) management programs.
At the Tools for Schools national symposium, EPA presented the 2006 Model of Sustained Excellence Award to four school districts for their efforts to improve indoor air quality. The winners are: Westborough Public Schools, Westborough, MA; Jefferson County Public Schools, Louisville, KY; Saugus Unified School District, Santa Clarita, CA; and Visalia Unified School District, Visalia, CA.
EPA also presented the 2006 Excellence Awards, which recognize comprehensive programs that include activities ranging from designing a new school building free of toxins and other hazards to developing district-wide policies for continuous training and maintenance. The winners are: Amity Regional School District No. 5, Woodbridge, CT; Omaha Public Schools, Omaha, NE; and Portland Public Schools, Portland, OR.
Since the creation of the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program, EPA says that nearly 30,000 schools across the country have adopted IAQ management programs consistent with EPA guidance. The program promotes IAQ management, facility planning and maintenance, and effective communications and teaches schools how to identify, resolve, and prevent indoor air quality problems through low- and no-cost measures.
For more information on Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Excellence Awards, visit EPA.
