Many school buildings are subject to mold infestation on ceiling tiles, carpeting and older books. A significant portion of the population is allergic to molds. These infested materials can result in mold exposures that cause allergenic symptoms. Some molds are highly toxigenic and may contain endotoxins, which can cause serious health problems. The source of mold problems may be related to moisture buildup from leaks in the building envelope or from infiltration of humid air due to negative building pressurization.

It may also affect the learning performance of students in several ways. Absenteeism due to illness clearly results in lost opportunities to learn. Such illness is likely to reduce their learning abilities even when they are in school. SBS symptoms may also results in learning deficits in students.

For these and the other reasons noted above, air quality in schools is of particular concern. Proper maintenance of acceptable indoor air is more than a "quality" issue, it encompasses safety and stewardship of our investment in the students, staff, and facilities.

To address these issues, school boards and administrators should look to budgeting more on plant maintenance, new building designs and especially for building control components.

In recent years, comparative risk studies performed by EPA and its Science Advisory Board has consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health. Good indoor air quality is an important component of a healthy indoor environment, and can help schools reach their primary goal.

Good indoor air quality contributes to a favorable learning environment for students, productivity for teachers and staff, and a sense of comfort, health, and well being. These elements combine to assist a school in its core mission - educating children. -- EPA

A 1995 GAO survey of schools suggests that ventilation and indoor air quality are significant problems. Thirty-six percent of the schools reported HVAC systems as a "less than adequate building feature", while 19% reported existing Indoor Air Quality problems. In way of comparison, 41% of California schools reported HVAC systems "less than adequate" and 22% having existing IAQ problems.

When you think about it, these percentages translate into huge numbers, even if you include a 100% safety factor by reducing the totals by 50%. This conservatively translates to 4,260,000 students, plus 312,000 teachers and administrators spending 6 to 8 hours per day in buildings with IAQ and ventilation problems (based on 1996 enrollment statistics). And, of these national totals, 3,072,000 are 7- 15 years of age and at the most risk. In a few words…not a good situation.

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