Office of Transportation and Air Quality
EPA-420-B-21-040
October 2021
Best Practices for Reducing Near-Road
Pollution Exposure at Schools:
Additional Resources
General information concerning schools: https://epa.gov/schools
Ventilation, Filtration, and Indoor Air Quality
General information about indoor air quality: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq
Creating healthy indoor environments in schools: https://www.epa.gov/iaq-schools
School IAQ Assessment Mobile App: https://www.epa.gov/iaq-schools/school-iaq-assessment-
mobile-app
Energy Savings Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for School Building Upgrades:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-
10/documents/energy savings plus health guideline.pdf
EPA Guide to Air Purification/Cleaners: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-qualitv-iaq/air-cleaners-
and-air-filters-home
HVAC systems in schools:
Designing new schools: https://www.epa.gov/iaq-schools/heating-ventilation-and-
air-conditioning-systems-part-indoor-air-quality-design-tools
Existing Schools: EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools Kit Ventilation Information:
www.epa.gov/iaq-schools/ventilation-checklist-indoor-air-qualitv-tools-schools
Preventive maintenance: www.epa.gov/iaq-schools/indoor-air-qualitv-tools-schools-
preventive-maintenance-guidance-documents
Actions for Building Occupants
Recess planning in schools:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthvschools/phvsicalactivitv/pdf/2016 12 16 schoolrecessplanning 508
,pdf
Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools:
https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2018-09/air-qualitv-and-outdoor-activitv-guidance-
2014.pdf
EPA School Flag Program: https://www.airnow.gov/air-quality-flag-program/
Site-Related Strategies
Transport Policies
EPA Reducing Diesel Emissions from School Buses: https://www.epa.gov/dera/making-school-
buses-cleaner
v>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
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The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program, which funds grants and rebates that protect
human health and improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from diesel engines:
https://www.epa.gov/dera
School Bus Rebates: The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA):
https://www.epa.gov/dera/rebates
Idle Free Utah Program Resources: http://utahcleancities.org/idle-free/
Site Locations and Design
EPA School Siting Guidelines: https://www.epa.gov/schools/view-download-or-print-school-siting-
guidelines
Information on school renovations: https://www.epa.gov/schools/sensible-guide-healthier-school-
renovations
Roadside Barriers
The Role of Vegetation in Mitigating Air Quality Impacts from Traffic Emissions:
https://archive.epa.gov/nrmrl/archive-appcd/web/pdf/baldauf.pdf
EPA recommendations on vegetative barriers: https://www.epa.gov/air-
research/recommendations-constructing-roadside-vegetation-barriers-improve-near-road-air-
qualitv
Air Quality Measurements
Information and guidance on air sensors: https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox
Building Capacity to Measure Air Pollution Mitigation Strategies at Schools:
https://www.epa.gov/innovation/building-capacity-measure-air-pollution-mitigation-
strategies-schools
Other Useful Resources
California Air Resources Board, Air Quality and Land Use Handbook:
https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/ch/handbook.pdf
South Coast Air Quality Management District, Air Quality Issues in School Site
Selection: Guidance Document: http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-
source/planning/air-qualitv-guidance/school guidance.pdf
South Coast Air Quality Management District, Near-Road Mitigation Measures and
Technology Forum materials:
https://www.aqmd.gov/home/technology/technology-forums
Air Quality Sensor Performance Evaluation Center (AQ-Spec):
http://www.aqmd.gov/aq-spec
California Department of Education, School Site Selection and Approval Guide:
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/sf/schoolsiteguide.asp
Los Angeles Unified School District, Distance Criteria for School Siting:
http://www.lausd-oehs.org/docs/Misc/DistanceCriteriaTable%20Rev12 10 08.pdf
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ASHRAE Standards for Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality:
https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/bookstore/standards-62-1-62-2
ASHRAE Indoor Air Quality Guide: Best Practices for Design, Construction, and Commissioning,
2009: https://www.ashrae.org/resources—publications/bookstore/indoor-air-qualitv-quide
The National Energy Management Institute (NEMI)'s Ventilation Verification for assessment of
existing HVAC infrastructure: https://www.nemionline.org/ventilation-verification/
Colorado's Clean Air at Schools (CASEO) Program: http://enginesoff.eom/2 4 schools.htm
Green Heart Louisville: https://greenheartlouisville.com/
Love My Air: https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Departments/Public-Health-
Environment/Environmental-Qualitv/Air-Qualitv/Love-Mv-Air
Resources Related to Schools and COVID-19 and Other Infectious
Diseases
Teachers and school officials need to use their judgment on whether to initiate practices presented in this
document while COVID-19 and other infectious diseases are a concern. There are a number of guides for
schools related to COVID exposure reduction that should be consulted and compared with the
recommendations presented here, including the following:
EPA guidance on cleaning and disinfecting: https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/guidance-
cleaning-and-disinfecting-public-spaces-workplaces-businesses-schools-and-homes
EPA guidance on coronavirus and indoor air: https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/indoor-air-and-
coronavirus-covid-19
EPA guidance on coronavirus and ventilation: https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/ventilation-and-
coronavirus-covid-19
EPA guidance on coronavirus and air filtration: https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/air-cleaners-
hvac-filters-and-coronavirus-covid-19
EPA webinar series on indoor air quality at schools: https://www.epa.gov/iaq-schools/healthy-
indoor-environments-schools-plans-practices-and-principles-maintaining-healthv
ASHRAE frequently asked questions regarding filtration and
disinfection: https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/filtration-and-disinfection-faq
EPA and CDC guidance for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses,
schools, and homes: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/communitv/pdf/reopening america guidance.pdf
CDC website for school administrators: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/communitv/schools-childcare/schools-faq.html
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