On July 25th, 2024, Congress took a significant step toward improving the health and well-being of students, teachers, and staff in educational facilities across the United States. The Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act, proposed by Congressman Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), aims to address a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of public health: the quality of the air we breathe indoors.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters
You might be surprised to learn that indoor air can be more polluted than the air outside. In fact, studies have shown that indoor contaminants can be 2-5 times—and occasionally 100 times—higher than those found outdoors. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has consistently ranked poor indoor air quality (IAQ) among the top five environmental risks to public health, and it’s a global issue, with over 3 million people dying prematurely each year from diseases caused by poor IAQ.
For schools, where children spend a significant portion of their day, the implications are profound. Poor indoor air quality can contribute to a range of health issues, including asthma, allergies, and respiratory infections. It can also affect cognitive function and learning, leading to lower academic performance. With the introduction of this new bill, there is a renewed focus on ensuring that schools are safe, healthy environments for all students.
What Are Clean Air Standards
The World Health Organization (WHO) has guidelines for air quality that provide recommendations for limiting specific air pollutants. The guidelines are intended to help improve air quality to protect public health, the WHO regularly updates the guidelines to ensure they remain relevant.
The WHO guidelines state that annual average concentrations of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m3, while 24-hour average exposures should not exceed 15 µg/m3 more than 3 - 4 days per year.
What the Act Entails
The Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act is designed to empower the EPA to take more decisive action in addressing IAQ in schools. The bill codifies and enhances the responsibilities of the EPA’s Indoor Environments Division, ensuring that indoor air quality becomes a national priority.
Some key provisions of the bill include:
What This Means for Schools
If the Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act becomes law, schools across the country will need to take a closer look at their indoor environments. Meeting the new standards could require significant changes, including the installation of advanced monitoring systems, improvements in ventilation, and the implementation of regular air quality assessments.
These changes, while potentially costly, are essential investments in the health and well-being of students and staff. Better indoor air quality means fewer sick days, improved academic performance, and a healthier school community overall.
In addition, the developing bodies of children might be more susceptible to environmental exposures than those of adults. Children breathe more air, eat more food and drink more liquid in proportion to their bodyweight than adults. Therefore, air quality in schools is of particular concern.
How WellStat Can Help
At WellStat, we understand the challenges that schools face in meeting these new IAQ standards. Our advanced indoor air quality monitoring and energy management technologies are designed to help schools create healthier indoor environments. By providing real-time data and actionable insights, our solutions enable schools to identify and address air quality issues before they become serious problems.
As the nation moves toward stricter IAQ regulations, WellStat is here to support schools every step of the way. Together, we can create a safer, healthier future for all students and help them achieve educational goals.
For more information on the Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act, visit Congressman Paul Tonko's official announcement.