Clean Indoor Air Standards for Public Schools

Presented By Daniel Kim

This Movement Is Currently
In The Fundraising Stage.

The air American children breathe during school hours remains largely unregulated despite profound impacts on health and learning:

• 41% of school districts report poor indoor air quality problems
• Average school ventilation rates less than half of recommended standards
• 60% of schools have ventilation systems that fail minimum building codes
• Respiratory illness accounts for 40% of school absenteeism
• CO2 levels in classrooms regularly exceed 1,500 ppm (recommended: below 800 ppm)
• Cognitive function decreases 15-50% with high CO2 levels
• Test scores 5-7% lower in poorly ventilated classrooms
• Asthma exacerbations directly linked to poor school air quality
• Maintenance backlogs exceed $270 billion in K-12 facilities
• No federal standards exist for school indoor air quality

Despite overwhelming evidence connecting air quality to health and learning outcomes, fragmented approaches and limited resources have prevented systematic improvement in the nation’s 98,000 public schools.

OUR COMPREHENSIVE AIR QUALITY SOLUTION

Our proposed legislation would establish:

1. NATIONAL INDOOR AIR QUALITY STANDARDS

• Maximum CO2 thresholds ensuring adequate ventilation
• Particulate matter (PM2.5) limits protecting respiratory health
• Volatile organic compound restrictions preventing chemical exposure
• Temperature and humidity parameters supporting health and comfort
• Allergen and mold concentration limitations
• Radon testing and mitigation requirements
• Lead dust contamination prevention
• Airborne infectious disease transmission mitigation
• Regular air quality testing and monitoring requirements
• Annual certification of compliance with standards

2. VENTILATION SYSTEM MODERNIZATION

• Nationwide assessment of current HVAC system conditions
• Minimum ventilation rate requirements aligned with ASHRAE standards
• Dedicated outdoor air systems for buildings with inadequate ventilation
• MERV-13 minimum filtration standards for all systems
• UV-C and advanced air cleaning for high-risk areas
• Windows capable of opening in all classrooms
• CO2 monitoring systems providing real-time feedback
• Demand-controlled ventilation optimizing energy and air quality
• HVAC commissioning ensuring proper system function
• Energy recovery systems balancing efficiency and ventilation

3. IMPLEMENTATION & MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS

• Regular filter replacement schedules and documentation
• Annual HVAC system inspection and certification
• Preventive maintenance protocols ensuring consistent operation
• Staff training requirements for facilities personnel
• Response protocols for air quality complaints
• Documentation requirements for all maintenance activities
• Third-party verification of compliance with standards
• Indoor air quality management plans for each facility
• Designated IAQ coordinator at district level
• Continuous monitoring systems for largest facilities

4. FUNDING & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

• $15 billion annual federal grant program for system upgrades
• Technical assistance helping schools assess needs and implement solutions
• Revolving loan program supplementing grant funding
• Energy efficiency incentives offsetting operational costs
• Prioritization framework focusing resources on highest-need facilities
• Simplified application processes reducing administrative barriers
• Matching grants leveraging state and local resources
• Direct support for under-resourced districts
• Model procurement documents streamlining implementation
• Life-cycle cost analysis tools supporting decision-making

5. TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY

• Public reporting requirements for air quality measurements
• School indoor air quality report cards
• Parental notification for air quality standard violations
• Annual compliance reporting to federal agencies
• State implementation plan requirements
• Regular oversight hearings assessing national progress
• Independent evaluation of program effectiveness
• Best practice identification and dissemination
• Continuous improvement of standards based on new research
• Five-year comprehensive program assessment

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

The legislation would establish a School Indoor Air Quality Office within EPA coordinating with the Department of Education with $15 billion in annual funding. Implementation would prioritize:

• Schools with documented air quality problems
• Facilities serving vulnerable populations with health disparities
• Under-resourced districts lacking independent capacity
• Schools with oldest and most deficient ventilation systems
• Facilities with documented health or performance impacts
• Phased implementation allowing orderly industry capacity development
• Technical assistance ensuring effective resource utilization
• Regular progress assessment identifying implementation challenges
• Knowledge sharing accelerating best practice adoption
• Long-term planning creating sustainable improvement

Our coalition includes public health organizations, education associations, facility management professionals, environmental health scientists, and parent advocacy groups committed to ensuring healthy air for all students.

Your support will help establish the standards and resources needed to address the hidden air quality crisis in America’s classrooms—improving health, reducing absenteeism, and enhancing learning outcomes for the 50 million children attending public schools nationwide.