Where do you go to learn more about indoor air quality and health?
You can begin by attending an indoor air quality (IAQ) workshop or obtaining an Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit. IAQ information is available from the EPA Indoor Clearinghouse at 1-800-438-4318, the American Lung Association® of Washington at 800-LUNG-USA, and the Washington State Department of Health at 360-236-3363. These sources will be able to provide information on upcoming trainings and workshops.

The Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit, created by the Environmental Protection Agency, helps schools and school districts develop an indoor air quality management plan. The Action Kit helps schools prevent potential problems and efficiently manage them should they occur. The kit provides facts about indoor air pollutants, sources, symptoms and solutions; checklists to identify indoor air issues; training videos; and an indoor air quality problem-solving wheel.

What are we doing in Washington State?
The American Lung Association® of Washington conducts Tools for Schools trainings to school personnel and offers school walk-throughs. These walk-throughs, with a building specialist, help identify potential IAQ problems, offer low-/no-cost solutions to address these issues and promote the good things the school is already doing.

Schools around the state which have participated in a school walk-through with the American Lung Association® of Washington:
Denny Middle School
East Omak Elementary School
Omak Middle School
Ponderosa Elementary School
Roxhill Elementary School
Van Asselt Elementary School
Vashon High School

Here we are using a 'smoke tube' to observe the direction of air flow. In general, the air flow patterns should move from 'clean' spaces into 'more dirty' areas. Some return vents actually bring recirculated air into the room, rather than exhausting the room, indicating that the air is moving in the wrong direction and that the duct system will have to be readjusted.	Carbon dioxide levels in parts per million (ppm) measured in a classroom.During our walk-through we measure carbon dioxide (CO2) levels to ensure that ventilation systems are delivering enough fresh, outside air into the classrooms. In this classroom we measured high CO2 readings, indicating a high percent of recirculated air with very little fresh air mixed in.
A water-stained couch in a classroom. Stuffed furniture can harbor dust mites and mold spore, which are known asthma triggers.	Rich Prill, Building Science and IAQ Specialist from Washington State University, describing mirco-filtration vacuum bags which minimize the release/escape of small particles during cleaning.
	Some buildings contain gas water heaters and furnaces. To prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings, it is crucial to install CO detectors around the building and anywhere that combustion gases are produced. Place them in visible place for students and staff to see - this is a good safety message for them to take home.

What can you do to improve the indoor air quality in your children's schools?
The Tools for Schools kit emphasizes ways to implement policies and practices that improve indoor air quality, which are low-cost and use in-house staff. As a parent you can influence your child's school administrators to practice action such as:

• Encouraging your school and school district to use the Action Kit and design an indoor air quality management plan. Tools for Schools kits can be ordered from the EPA Clearinghouse (1-800-439-4318) or by faxing (703-356-5386) a request on school letterhead.
• Eliminating conditions which encourage mold and mildew growth. Keeping classrooms well ventilated and moisture-free by fixing roof and plumbing leaks immediately, venting dryers outside and using exhaust fans.
• Minimizing dust and dust mites exposure by placing walk-off mats at the entrances, discouraging donation of items such as old couches cushions and carpets, and vacuuming the carpets daily with a efficient cleaner which uses a paper micro-filtration bag.
• Ensuring that the ventilation system is properly balanced, and checking that filters are efficient and frequently changed. A good rule of thumb is to keep air flowing from clean to dirty, so that children are not breathing polluted air. This is specially important for places such as janitorial closets where cleaning supplies are often stored, unused locker rooms with dry traps and leaking sewer gases, and boiler rooms with back drafting heating appliances.
• Preventing exposure to pesticides, cleaning supplies, paints, combustion gases and cigarette smoke will provide a healthier environment for everyone at the school.

Policies such as these will provide a healthy indoor breathing environment and contribute to a positive learning environment for Washington's students. YOU can take steps to improve the air quality in Washington’s schools. For more information on improving air quality in Washington's schools, call the American Lung Association® of Washington at 800-LUNG-USA.

The American Lung Association® of Washington's Tools for Schools activities are made possible by support from American Lung Association® of Washington's Environmental Health Program and the Environmental Protection Agency Region X, Indoor Air Program; and are in collaboration with Rich Prill, WSU Cooperative Extension Energy Program.