&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
                   EPA402-F-03-017
                  IAQ  Tools   for  Schools
                  Mentor    Network
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a Problem
Throughout the country, nearly 56 million people spend a significant portion
of their day inside elementary and secondary schools. According to the
National Center for Educational Statistics of the U.S. Department of
Education, in 1999,43 percent of America's public schools—about 33,800—
reported at least one unsatisfactory environmental condition. Ventilation was
reported as unsatisfactory in about one quarter of public schools while indoor
air quality was reported as unsatisfactory in about one in five schools. Indoor
air pollutants commonly found in schools, such as mold, mildew, dust mites,
pet dander, pests, and pesticides, build up when routine facility maintenance
projects are deferred resulting in a decreased quality of life for students and
staff. Poor IAQ should not be ignored and schools that fail to respond
promptly and effectively may experience an increase in short-term health
problems, such as fatigue and nausea, as well as long-term health problems,
such as asthma.

An IAQ Solution
In 1995,  the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the
Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS) Program that offers resources
and guidance to help schools identify indoor air quality problems using a
practical, cost-effective, step-by-step approach. With an lAQproblem, some
schools and school districts may be overwhelmed and uncertain where to
begin to tackle the challenges associated with establishing a successful IAQ
program. Here is where the IAQ TfS Mentor Network can help!

New IAQ Resource
EPA formed the Indoor Air  Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS) Mentor
Network to provide a collaborative network for IAQ advocates—school
superintendents, teachers,  maintenance and facilities personnel,  faculty
members, and members of school-based organizations—to share their
experiences and successes through this network and also offer advice to schools
actively involved in their IAQ TfS Programs or in the beginning stages of
implementation. Many schools and school districts find it beneficial to model
their IAQ programs on successful IAQ efforts at other schools.

Join the Mentor Network Today
If you are interested in being  a mentor or hearing about the experiences of
others who have successfully  established IAQ programs in their school or
school district, send an e-mail to mentornetwork@cadmusgroup.com for
more information about becoming involved in the Mentor Network Program.
Benefits of Participating
The Mentor Network will be a community
resource. Mentors will share advice and all
participants will learn strategies to address IAQ
concerns creatively and effectively.
Mentors and participants will receive the Mentor
Kit, which is full of resources on the IAQ TfS
Program and includes materials that mentors can
utilize  during training  sessions.  Other
supplementary materials include the IAQ TfS Road
Map, promotional brochure, and the Asthma and
Allergy and 2001  Symposium bulletins. The
following are just a few of the many benefits for
participants and mentors:
For Participants
^ Access to mentors to assist you with
  IAQ issues.
*• The Mentor Network Kit.
*• A written case study on your experiences as a
  participant for publication and distribution by
  U.S. EPA.
*• A commendation for your shared experiences
  and successes with IAQ.
For Mentors
*• EPA award recognition as an IAQ TfS Mentor.
^ A written case study on your experiences as a
  mentor for publication and distribution by U.S.
  EPA.
*• The Mentor
  Network Kit.
»> JhelAQTfS
  Mentor Pin.
*• The satisfaction
  from helping other
  schools improve
  the teaching and
  learning
  environment of
                                                their staff and
                                                students.
                                                               Do you have a
                                                               success story?
                                                               We would love to
                                                               hear it. To submit
                                                               your story or learn
                                                               more about the
                                                               Network, please
                                                               visit www.epa.gov/
                                                               iaq/schools.
 Join Your Peers
 The IAQ TfS Mentor Network consists of volunteer mentors who are directly involved in establishing and maintaining
 their school or school districts IAQ program. Mentors and participants include:

  *  School Superintendents        * School Nurses
  *  Principals                  + Faculty Members
  *  leachers                   ^ School-Based Organizations
  *  Parents                    * Students
                                             * Head custodians
                                             * Engineers
                                             * Maintenance and
                                               Facilities Personnel
For more information about EPA's Indoor Air Quality Tools forSchoolsProqram, please visit www.epa.gov/iaq/schools.

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