January 18, 2006—The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the release of a new tool to help schools identify and prevent health, safety, and environmental problems before they arise, building on the agency’s voluntary school indoor air quality program.
Using a holistic approach to school health, EPA’s new Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool (HealthySEAT) is a free software tool that school districts can customize to assess potential issues such as mold, asbestos, and lead paint, then evaluate and manage information on conditions at each school.
Besides health issues, IAQ can reportedly impact a student’s performance–students exposed to poor air quality experience decreased performance, diminished concentration levels, and score consistently lower on standardized tests than those students attending schools with good air quality.
Since the creation of the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS) program, more than 26,000 schools across the country have adopted IAQ management programs consistent with EPA’s guidance. The program teaches schools how to identify, resolve, and prevent IAQ problems through low- and no-cost measures.
The program includes a complete checklist of EPA recommendations and regulatory requirements on dozens of health and safety issues. It explains IAQ management, facilities planning and maintenance, financing, communications, and emergency response. An IAQ Tools for Schools Kit also includes easy-to-use checklists for all school personnel, sample management plans, and a unique indoor air problem-solving wheel.
