Septembers, 2010
SEPA
ndoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Progra
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Questions and Answers from the
State-Based School IAQ Management Initiatives
Table of Contents
Funding pp 1
Implementing State-Based School IAQ pp 1
Research pp 2
Resources pp 2
Funding
#1 Q: Canyon discuss areas where states may look for funding to promote and implement indoor air quality
(IAQ) management?
A: EPA Regions offer Cooperative Grant Agreements which provide some baseline funding for state-
based school IAQ initiatives. In addition, state-based grants can assist you with basic implementation
needs, such as staff time. Non-profit grant opportunities are also a great source of funding; for instance,
the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation may have some grants available. States may also look to grants
and other funding opportunities for green and healthy school initiatives, as IAQ is an important element
of healthy, high-performing schools.
Implementing State-Based School IAQ
#2 Q: In your experience do school-based parent-teacher associations (PTAs) participate in IAQ management
programs in school districts in your state?
A: It is important to gain buy-in from a diverse collaborative of IAQ stakeholders. PTAs are an
important component of an IAQ management program. At the state level, it may be useful to collaborate
with a statewide PTA organization at school IAQ implementation planning meetings. This is an
important group of individuals that has significant influence in communities and can assist with
implementation and outreach at the district-level.
#3 Q: Who generally initiates a state-based school IAQ management initiative? Do schools typically reach out
to state agencies or do state agencies identify school districts?
A: Kenny Foscue, Connecticut Department of Public Health: In Connecticut, it was our Department, in
conjunction with the EPA region, that initiated IAQ management with school districts. We began a
process of recruiting relevant agencies like the Department of Education and the public sector unit of the
Connecticut OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) program, and statewide school
stakeholder organizations. We feel IAQ is principally a health issue and therefore believe it is the
responsibility of the state health departments to take a leadership role. However, school stakeholder
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Septembers, 2010
organizations like facilities directors associations, teachers unions and business officials associations can
also be leverage points to utilize since they have the ability to do outreach to their membership.
Dan Tranter, Minnesota Department of Public Health: In Minnesota, the state Department of Public
Health also initiated the program. Legislation was passed, and the need was determined to put together a
school IAQ management program. The Department of Education came to us and others to develop
requirements for IAQ management plans. Then we began offering trainings and on-site
assistance. Along the way, we received funding to support the program, and added some other
programmatic elements.
I certainly think schools could initiate a program. For example, a statewide organization (business
officials, facility managers) could request that a state agency offer trainings, IAQ consultations, and/or
other services. Of course, the state agency would have to be receptive, and with no funding and budget
cuts in most states, it may not happen.
Research
#4 Q: Do partnerships with universities assist with state-wide surveys/studies/environmental research on state-
based school IAQ initiatives?
A: Partnering with universities/student researchers is a fantastic and cost-effective way to increase your
capacity to conduct IAQ research and/or implement school IAQ management awareness and outreach. It
is certainly worth a call to universities and colleges in your state to determine if they have courses of
study (i.e., environmental science or engineering) that may allow for student partnerships.
Resources
#5 Q: Can Kenny Foscue of the Connecticut Department of Public Health provide more information on the
"Toolsfor Offices"program (i.e. where can we access it?)
A: The Connecticut Department of Public Health and their State-Based IEQ Initiative created a resource
called Tools for Office Buildings, a modification for the IAQ Tools for Schools Program tailored
specifically to the office environment. Currently, it is being implemented in offices across the state of
Connecticut. For more information please visit:
http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/environmental health/eoha/pdf/TfOB Fact Sheet.pdf
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