NEA and NEA HIN believe that students and staff have the right to a great public school that fosters a safe and healthy learning environment. Poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ) caused by mold, poor ventilation, chemicals, extreme temperatures, asbestos, and other pollutants negatively impact the health and achievement of all building occupants. Given that students and staff enter school building and remain there a good portion of the day, this environment should be one of superior IEQ.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), twenty percent of the U.S. population, nearly 55 million people, spend their days in elementary and secondary schools. Further studies show that one in five of our nation’s 110,000 schools reported unsatisfactory indoor air quality (IAQ), and one in four schools reported ventilation — which impacts IAQ — as unsatisfactory.
Poor IEQ adversely affects the health of building occupants, results in increased absenteeism, and directly impacts staff performance and student achievement.
NEA HIN has addressed the issue of poor IEQ for over a decade through its IEQ in Schools Program. This program aims to educate NEA members and state association staff on how to identify, prevent, and resolve IEQ issues through education, training, and resource development. NEA HIN is proud to be a cooperative partner of the U.S. EPA and co-sponsor of their IAQ Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS) program which is a nationwide initiative that helps schools assess, resolve, and prevent IAQ problems and reduce exposure to asthma triggers.
- Online Training
o What’s Your IEQ? A Roadmap to School Indoor Environmental Quality