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Most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can damage their health but many do not know that indoor air-pollution can also have significant health effects. Studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor levels of pollutants may be 2-5 times, and occasionally more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels- These levels of indoor air polluters may be of particular concern because most people spend about 90% of their time indoors. For the purposes of this guidance, the definition of good indoor air quality management includes control of airborne pollutants
Good indoor air quality contributes to a favorable learning environment for students, performance of teacher and staff and a sense of comfort healthy, and well-being. These elements combines to assist a school in its core mission educating children.
In recent years, comparative risk studies have consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health. Good indoor air quality is an important component of a healthy indoor environment, and can help schools reach their primary goal.
Failure to respond promptly and effectively to indoor air quality problems can have the following health, cost, and educational process consequences
• Increasing long- and short4erm health problems such as cough, eye irritation, headache, asthma attacks.
• Promoting the spread of airborne infectious diseases
• Aggravating asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Nearly one school-aged child in 13 has asthma, the leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic disease.
• Producing an unfavorable learning environment for children
• Reducing productivity of teachers and staff due to discomfort, sickness, or absenteeism straining relationships among the school administration and parents and staff generating negative publicity that could damage a school's or administrator image and effectiveness creating potential liability problems
Children may be especially susceptible to air pollution. The same concentration of pollutants can result in higher body burden in children than adults because children breathe a greater volume of air relative to their body weight. For this and the reasons noted above, air quality in schools is of particular concern. Proper maintenance of indoor air is more than a "quality" issue, it encompasses safety and stewardship of our investment in the students, staff, and facilities.
Unlike other buildings, managing schools involves the combined responsibility for public funds and child safety issues, which can cause strong reactions from concerned parents and the general community. Other unique aspects include
• Occupants are dose together, with the typical school having approximately four times as many occupants as Office Building as for the same amount of floor space
• Budgets are tight, with maintenance often receiving the largest cut during budget reductions
• As schools add space the operation and maintenance of each addition is often different
• Shcool sometimes use rooms, portable classroom, or building which were not originall
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