Introduction
Most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can impact their health, but indoor air pollution can also have significant harmful effects. Studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor levels of pollutants may be 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels. This is especially important to schools, as children may be more susceptible to air pollutants.
Teachers can learn how to make significant impacts on indoor air quality (IAQ) and help provide a healthy learning and working environment. The importance of this training is based on the following principles:
1. Most IAQ problems can be prevented and resolved by school staff through simple, inexpensive measures.
2. The cost and effort needed to prevent most IAQ problems is significantly less than the cost and effort required to resolve problems after they develop.
3. Teachers effectively act as the first responders to IAQ problems.
