Indoor Air Quality Program

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical component of providing a healthy and comfortable learning and work environment. Indoor air pollutants may cause or contribute to short- and long-term health problems including asthma, respiratory tract infection and disease, allergic reactions, headaches, nasal congestion, eye and skin irritations, coughing, sneezing, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea. In addition, indoor air pollutants and extremes in temperature and humidity may cause discomfort, which can affect students' ability to concentrate and learn.

Poor indoor air quality may be caused by vapors, dust and other contaminants generated in the building environment, materials infiltrating from outside sources (such as pollen or engine exhaust), or deficiencies in the ventilation system. Unfortunately, due to scientific limitations and variations in individual sensitivity, it can be difficult to specifically identify an indoor air quality problem when complaints or symptoms are reported. In most cases there are no definitive signs or laboratory tests are available to differentiate building air quality related symptoms from other causes.

Seattle Public Schools encourages the reporting of IAQ concerns, regardless of how trivial the issue may seem. The prompt reporting and resolution of IAQ issues has the potential to prevent serious problems from developing, which will help to prevent potential health effects, discomfort, and unnecessary costs. Concerned staff, students, and parents can report their IAQ concerns by contacting the Maintenance Work Management System (WMS) at 206-252-0550 to initiate an investigation.

Although specific regulations have not been developed for IAQ in the work place we do follow recommendations from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Seattle Public Schools utilizes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) "Tool for Schools "indoor air quality program.

Staff responsibilities to promote good indoor air quality are:

• Teachers should refrain from interfering with airflow from ventilators (e.g., do not stack books or other items on ventilators, cover vents with posters, or turn off the fan due to noise), remove clutter in their classrooms, properly dispose of hazardous waste, and enforce the school's various IAQ policies in their classrooms.
     

• Facilities must ensure that HVAC systems are operating properly and that buildings are maintained adequately and cleaned regularly. Many IAQ issues can be avoided with timely maintenance and repair building HVAC systems and rapid response to water intrusion into a building. Water damaged areas must be dried in 24-48 hours to prevent the initiation of mold growth. Building occupants should notify their custodian to contact the District Maintenance Department (206-252-0550) as soon as possible of plumbing, roof and foundation leaks or HVAC malfunctions.
   

• Custodians need to follow all policies regarding cleaning chemicals, ensure that the school is regularly vacuumed and swept, frequently inspect the ventilation systems and change out air filters as required, clean drain pans, empty trash cans, and add water or vegetable oil to unused drains regularly. They should look for signs of pest problems and inform the appropriate staff of any issues, such as leaving food out. They need to report moisture problems, such as roof or plumbing leaks or evidence of mold growth to the Maintenance Work Management System (WMS) as soon as discovered.
   
• School Nurses should track illnesses, such as asthma, that may provide an early warning of IAQ problems.
   

Evaluation of building related complaints requires the cooperative effort of the complainant, Risk Management staff and the Facilities Department. Following the initial complaint, a Risk Management staff person will interview the complainant to determine if his or her symptoms are potentially related to IAQ problems. When such a potential exists, Risk Management will conduct an IAQ investigation with appropriate staff. The investigation may lead to plans for remediation.

The following conditions will typically be evaluated:

• Percentage of outside air being supplied to building
• Location of outside air intake(s)
• Immediate outside environment
• Operation and maintenance of HVAC system
• Relative humidity
• Temperature
• Carbon dioxide level as an indicator if a space is being provided adequate air flow
• Signs of water intrusion including plumbing, roof and foundation leaks

Risk Management will also evaluate the work area and building for probable sources of contaminants, such as chemical use and storage; general housekeeping; recent renovations and/or new furnishings, allergy and asthma triggers, activities in work area, and the building HVAC system.

Sampling methodologies and acceptable limits have been established for many contaminants. However, occupants may continue to experience discomfort at contaminant levels below standards for occupational exposure. Also, individual sensitivities vary. Sampling and measuring indoor mold contamination on surfaces is of limited value because mold is found in virtually all environments, and because no consensus or regulatory standards have been established. One of the problems with establishing standards is that individual sensitivity to mold varies greatly

Risk Management will prepare a written report of investigation results, including conclusions regarding possible causes of the IAQ problems and remedial actions. Copies of the IAQ investigation report will be forwarded to the complainant and his or her supervisor.

If you have any questions regarding indoor air quality, please contact Dave Wick at 206-252-0529.

Here are some useful web sites for additional information on IAQ and mold:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) "Tools for Schools" program: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries IAQ Topic Center: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/IndoorAir/default.asp

EPA "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings": http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html

NYC Department of Health "Assesment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments": http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.shtml

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mold Fact Sheet: http://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm

Seattle-King County Public Health IAQ Topic Sheet: http://www.metrokc.gov/health/hazard/indoorair.htm