Indoor Air Quality

What is Hartford doing about indoor air pollution?

Tools for Schools

The EPA's Tools for Schools program provides an action kit for schools to use to identify and address indoor air quality problems, including those that may be asthma triggers. For information on the kit, contact connecticosh@snet.net or kenny.foscue@po.state.ct.us or click here. In Connecticut, 68% of schools reported indoor environmental problems, according to a recent study by the U.S. General Services Administration.

The Connecticut School Indoor Environment Resource Team offers help to Connecticut schools with Tools for Schools training, implementation, and technical issues. For additional information, contact

Donielle Wilson
ConnectiCOSH
860-953-2674

Kenny Foscue
Connecticut Department of Public Health
860-509-7742

What remains to be done?

The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering recently released a report entitled Indoor Air Quality in Connecticut Schools. It recommends the following actions:

Creation of a formal state agency to coordinate and improve evaluations of indoor air quality in schools and other public buildings and the possible health effects on the occupants of those buildings

Adequate state funding of such an agency

Adequate state funding for air quality improvements and maintenance in new and existing schools

The agency's responsibilities would include

Developing guidelines, management practices, and/or regulations to maintain acceptable air standards in schools

Establishing guidelines and standards for new construction and renovations

Providing training to administrators, maintenance workers, teachers, local health department officials, and others who would help to carry out indoor air quality programs

Require schools to establish air quality management plans and to designate an air quality coordinator

Develop a system to assess indoor air quality in each school regularly and on an "as needed" basis