&EFK Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Learn how to address school indoor environmental health issues after natural disasters. A few weeks ago, Hurricane Sandy tore through the East Coast, destroying neighborhoods and causing severe damage for millions of Americans. As the rebuilding process begins, EPA's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air staff are committed to equipping communities with the tools and knowledge needed to ensure that indoor environments in schools are safe before students, teachers and staff members return. The aftermath of any natural disaster, including a hurricane that causes extensive flooding, can create widespread health problems that are especially dangerous for children. EPA's Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools resources can be helpful to schools and school districts as they clean-up buildings after a natural disaster. These resources help school staff identify and resolve most IAQ problems in schools with minimal cost and effort. Access Resources to Help Clean-Up Schools • Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings: Mold growth can be a big problem after extensive flooding. Exposure to mold can cause allergic reactions and other adverse health effects, which can affect student and staff health. The key to mold control is moisture control. After flooding has occurred, remove standing water and dry indoor areas. Remove and discard anything that has been wet. for more than 24-48 hours. This document presents guidelines for the remediation and cleanup of mold and moisture problems in school and commercial buildings. • Environmental Contaminates in Schools: When school buildings are damaged during natural disasters, special measures need to be taken to ensure common environmental contaminants, including lead, asbestos, chemicals and mercury, are properly cleaned up before students return to school. Use EPA's guidance on common environmental contaminates to learn more about these concerns. • Managing Asthma in the School Environment: IAQ in schools has a major impact on asthma and other respiratory illnesses, which is why it's important to address asthma triggers in schools during the clean-up process. • IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit: The Action Kit contains checklists that can be used by facilities and maintenance staff, administrators, teachers and others to address IAQ issues that often occur after natural disasters. Checklists may be downloaded in PDF formats or MS Word formats, and can be tailored to meet the needs of individual schools. Help Spread the Word Do you know someone affected by Hurricane Sandy? Tell them about the EPA IAQ Tools for Schools resources that are available to help schools clean up after a natural disaster by sharing these social media posts with your networks! Facebook: • Hurricanes and other natural disasters can cause serious environmental health problems for school-aged children. Because their bodies are still developing, children are especially vulnerable to health problems that ------- result from natural disasters. Use EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools resources on mold, http://www.epa.gov/mold/ mold_remediation.html, and environmental contaminates to ensure indoor environments in schools are safe before students, teachers and staff members return. Twitter: • Make sure your #school is safe after #hurricane #sandy. Check out EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools resources: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/excellence.html Questions? If you have any questions about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance, please contact the IAQ Tools for Schools Connector Coordinator at IAQTfSConnector@cadmusgroup.com. The IAQ Tools for Schools guidance is a comprehensive resource designed to help schools maintain a healthy environment in school buildings by identifying, correcting and preventing IAQ problems. Learn more about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) ------- |