Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessment for Educational Facilities
Most school-age children in the US spend 1,000 hours a year in school. That’s an average of six hours every day.
This number can vary depending on the child’s age. Older kids spend even more time in school, while younger kids may spend less.
School administrators are responsible for their safety during this time. This includes ensuring indoor air quality in schools is optimal. An assessment can determine this.
How do you conduct an indoor air quality assessment? Or how do you test air quality in your classroom?
This article provides the answers. It also lets you know how you can get indoor air quality assistance for your school.
How Do You Conduct an Indoor Air Quality Assessment?
Also known as IAQ, Indoor Air Quality measures the number of air pollutants in and around buildings or structures. It ensures the quality is at a level that’s healthy and comfortable for occupants. This helps reduce health issues that may occur as a result of poor air quality.
Indoor air pollution continues to be a major concern. It consistently ranks among the top five environmental public health risks. An assessment can identify air quality concerns in your school.
The company conducting the assessment will collect air and surface samples. They’ll also study the airflow in and around the building. This helps them to determine students’ exposure, if any, to pollutants.
They’ll provide long-term solutions. This can help to improve the safety and health of your students.
How Do You Test Air Quality in Your Classroom?
Good IAQ helps to provide a healthy learning environment. It allows staff and students to perform better. However, schools are unique and may be more susceptible to poor indoor air quality.
There’s also exposure to additional pollutants. This includes the school gym, science and art supplies, and other sources. You’ll need to test the air quality in your classroom regularly. This is usually over three consecutive days during the testing period.
You can do this with an indoor air quality monitor or a Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) sensor. This can detect several pollutants including mold, carbon monoxide, and radon. If you detect any of these, it’s time to call a professional.
Getting Indoor Air Quality Assistance for Educational Facilities
You’ll need to get a specialist to investigate the problem. They’ll conduct in-depth testing. This includes examining HVAC systems and sampling and analyzing airborne bacteria.
They will identify the pollutants within every room in your building. They’ll also provide a solution to eliminate them. Their long-term strategies will help you maintain good air quality.
Ensuring Optimal Indoor Air Quality In Schools
Air pollution continues to be a problem in the US. What might be surprising is that the level of air pollutants is often much higher indoors. Poor indoor air quality in schools can be a major issue as students and faculty spend most of their day in classes.
How do you conduct an indoor air quality assessment for education facilities? How do you get air quality in your classroom? Now you have the answers.
Have you discovered your school has poor air quality? You should seek indoor air quality assistance from a professional.
Atlantic Environmental can help. We specialize in finding solutions to your workplace safety, environmental, and health problems. Contact us for more information.
Our indoor air quality (IAQ assessments for educational facilities cover the areas of NJ NY PA CT DE and Atlanta GA.