Why do  IAQ Tools  for Schools?......

                         TOOLS  FOR SCHOOLS  WORKS/
  According to a study by the CT Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE), up to 70% of CT
  schools have indoor air  quality (IAQ) problems.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  (EPA) IAQ Tools for Schools (TfS) program can help  address these problems.  During the past 7
  years, there have been many accomplishments contributing towards improved IEQ and health in
  CT schools after TfS was implemented.  Here are just some of these accomplishments.

    Connecticut  IAQ  TfS  Success  Stories

  Waterford
     •   Reduction of 74% in the number of IAQ health complaints in one elementary school,
         from 152 to 40 the year after TfS was implemented.
     •   Decrease in IAQ health complaints of 66% or greater in 9 out of 13 elementary
         classrooms which was representative of the other district schools.
  Hamden
     »   Absenteeism cut by more than half after TfS was implemented in one elementary
         school, from 484  days to 203 days in one year.
     •   Marked decrease in the use of student inhalers
  North Haven
     »   Decrease of 48% (256) in number of reported cases of respiratory-related illnesses.
     »   Number of clinic visits decreased by 4,978 (11%) two years after TfS was implemented.
  Chester
     •   Number of asthma-related health office visits decreased dramatically over a period of
         4 years from 463 before TfS to 82 after major TfS recommendations implemented.
     •   Decrease in health office visits related to headaches, dizziness and sinus difficulties
         (students and staff).
  Hartford
     •   Number of asthma incidents declined 21.2 %, from 11,334 to 8929 in one year, after
         TfS was implemented in most schools.
     •   Improvements to school buildings that included: carpet replaced with tile, elimination of
         area rugs, repair of leaking pipes, new roofs and roof repairs, and cleaning boiler rooms.
  Amity Region 5
     •  Reduction in number of IAQ complaints from 70 (2003-2004) to 3 (2005-2006).

Schools are saving money: The CT Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA), a CT insurance
provider, reviewed 47 member school districts with TfS. Fifteen districts (32%), saw a decrease in
IAQ claims frequency. The average decrease was 3.6 claims. The severity of claims decreased 87%,
for a total savings of $56,705.

For more information about the EPA IAQ Tools for Schools Program in Connecticut, contact
Kenny Foscue at 860-509-7740 or kenny.foscue@ct.gov.
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       National  IAQ  TfS  Success  Stories

More than 30,000 schools nationwide are managing IAQ and seeing results	

Improved Health Outcomes
•  A reduction in IAQ complaints from one per month to three per year. (Shamona Creek
   Elementary School, PA)

•  A 25 percent reduction in the number of visits to the school nurse with complaints of stomach
   aches and headaches within the first 5 months of implementation of TfS (Little Harbour School,
   NH).

•  A 50 percent reduction in visits to the office for the use of asthma inhalers (G.W. Carver
   Elementary School, CA).

•  A reduction from 75 complaints related to health and faulty equipment to fewer that 15 from
   1994—1999 (Okaloosa County School District FL).

Cost Savings

•  Since the implementation of TfS in 1998, only $400 has been spent on IAQ consultants, as
   compared to an estimated $250,000 prior to 1997. (Hillsborough County Public School District,
   FL).

•  Nearly $100,000 was spent to correct mold and flooding problems before TfS, after which
   minimal investment solved IAQ problems uncovered while implementing TfS. (Janvier
   Elementary School NJ).
•  An analysis showed that if an elementary school had spent $364 per year on preventive
   maintenance, $1.6 million in  repairs could have been avoided. (Washington DC)

Good Public Relations

•  "We received some great press from implementing the TfS Kit—the local newspapers wrote
   several articles about our Health School Team (District Health Official, Boston, MA).


Other Considerations

•  A recent critical review of the literature confirms that poor IAQ in schools adversely impacts
   student health and productivity.  Poor IAQ can reduce academic performance by 2 to, as much
   as,  6 percent. (Mendell & Heath, 2005; Indoor Air;  15 (l):27-52).

•  There is a significant relationship between facility condition and student achievement, based on
   test scores in 139 public schools in math, science, language and social studies. (Milwaukee, WI)


School nurse and TfS coordinator: "We continue to have a Tools for Schools team in place and are
performing the Tools for Schools program again this year. I am a believer in Tools for Schools, as
this program has no doubt benefited our schools and students."
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation Indoor Environments
Division, Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program: Benefits of Improving Air Quality in the School
Environment, EPA 402-K-02-005, February 2003.

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