Did you ever stop to think how much time our children spend in school? They spend a third or more of each weekday inside school buildings. Many of these buildings are old and poorly maintained, potentially exposing children to a variety of known hazards including asbestos, lead paint, dust, mold, toxic chemicals and poor indoor air quality, all of which can contribute to asthma, allergies, respiratory infections, chemical sensitivities and poisonings among other conditions.
There are few regulations or policies that specifically focus on air quality in NH schools, yet research and experience show that poor environmental conditions in schools can hinder learning, lower faculty and other staff productivity, and cause other health and safety risks. On the other hand, healthy indoor environments can have major positive impacts on children's health and learning ability. So, it is very important to place high priority on maintaining safe and healthy indoor environments in all of our public schools.
On June 24, 2008, the Governor signed into law an act establishing a commission to study indoor air quality in public schools in New Hampshire. The commission was charged with:
studying air quality in public school buildings and studying the feasibility of implementing air quality standards and performing regular air quality inspections in public school buildings
investigating and making recommendations regarding successful, cost-effective, alternative initiatives developed to address air quality issues in public school buildings elsewhere in New Hampshire and in other states
Breathe New Hampshire’s Lisa Stockwell was appointed by the Governor to serve as one of the eleven participants in this commission. The group met regularly between August 2008 and October 2009. During these meetings the commission:
- studied the extent and severity of indoor air quality issues in New Hampshire public schools.
- reviewed current New Hampshire and other states’ laws dealing with school environments, focusing on the success and impact of the laws and regulations
- heard testimony from a number of experts in the field of indoor air quality in schools
Using this information, the commission submitted its final report on November 1, 2009. You can read the full report here.
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Some resources for learning more about the importance of healthy air in our schools
NH Partners for Healthy Schools
Building and Grounds Maintenance Checklist and Background Information
Impacts of Building Dampness on Indoor Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality Backgrounder
Integrated Pest Management Checklist
Renovations and Repairs Checklist and Backgrounder
Teacher's Classroom Checklist
Ventilation Checklist and Background Information
Ventilation Rates and School Work Performance
Environmental Law Institute Database of State Indoor Air Quality Laws, Database Excerpt: IAQin Schools
Wisconsin Green & Healthy Schools Program Assessment
Designing Quality Learning Spaces: Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality
Green Schools: Attributes for Health and Learning
The Comprehensive School Health Manual, Chapter 4: A Safe and Healthful Environment
Review and Assessment of the Health and Productivity Benefits of Green Schools: An Interim Report
Humidity Control in Minnesota Schools
Powerful Practices: A Checklist for School Districts Addressing the Needs of Students with Asthma
School District Liability for Indoor Air Quality Conditions: A Review of Selected Legal Issues
The Effects of Classroom Air Temperature and Outdoor Air Supply Rate on Performance of School Work by Children
Create a Healthy Indoor Environment
The Healthy School Environmental Action Guide
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