As parents of children with asthma, we work very hard every day to prevent asthma attacks. We allergy-proof our homes, make sure our kids take their medicines, and monitor their lung function. But what about when they head off to school? We can tell the school nurse what to do in the event of an asthma episode and give the school a copy of our child’s Asthma Management Plan, but is that enough to protect our little ones?

Children spend seven to 10 hours a day at school surrounded by symptom-causing triggers hiding inside many school buildings including pollen, dust, chalk, pesticides, and other chemicals. Improper exhaust of the heating and cooling systems, incorrect storage of chemicals, and radon exposure can also contribute to poor school air quality. And breathing dirty air has a direct effect on student absences, performance, and even test scores.

Parents, teachers, and school administrators can take an active role in improving the indoor air quality at school by using the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools kit (IAQ TfS), developed by the Environmental Protection Agency. With the IAQ TfS program, you can easily identify problem areas, develop low-cost strategies to resolve many indoor air quality issues, and prevent future problems from occurring.

I was able to start an IAQ TfS pilot program this past year in the Williamson County School District in Tennessee. Our director of schools was hesitant at first, but agreed to try it in four schools. After a workshop on indoor air quality, our schools enthusiastically went to work. Tennessee has areas of high radon, so testing for it was a priority. We were relieved when the Tennessee Department of Environment told us that all district schools had been tested recently and that new construction had special radon barriers.

Luckily, no major indoor air problems were found in any school. But thanks to the IAQ TfS kit, school filters are now changed more frequently and new vents were installed where needed. Mold, mildew, and pest problems either have been repaired or are on a schedule for repair. We found problems when they were small, and therefore, saved the school district money in the long run. The program has been such a success that we’re planning to expand IAQ TfS into more schools this year!

Since implementing IAQ TfS, I’ve seen changes in teacher and staff attitudes at the school where I work. When the staff learned room air fresheners contained harsh chemicals and natural alternatives were available, the air fresheners disappeared. Our teachers are much more understanding and aware of what can cause problems for students with asthma.

So how do you use the IAQ TfS kit? The first step: Create a committee of teachers, staff, and parents and gather input through surveys and discussions about indoor air quality. A walk-through of the school will also help identify problem areas. With renovation and repair checklists, a great video on basic ventilation, and a problem-solving wheel, the kit will guide you through every step of the process. It’s important to remember that you can’t fix every problem at once – IAQ TfS is an ongoing program!

For more information on the free IAQ TfS kit, contact Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) at 800-878-4403 or visit the EPA Tools for Schools Web site. Talk with other parents in your area, your principal, PTA, school board, and district administration about the importance of clean indoor air. It may take a little convincing, but it’ll be worth it! Every person who walks into your child’s school will breathe better.