Indoor Environmental Quality

Conquer Asthma – Assure Adequate Outside Air

THE BIG PICTURE…

People spend most of their time indoors

The indoor environment is generally not regulated

Source: CDC: Asthma Health Topic: www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/asthma

Sources: 1. National Health Interview Survey, 2005. CDC. 2. CDC: Asthma Health Topic: www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/asthma/

Dust Mites MoldsAnimal Dander PollenAllergenic Chemicals

Allergen Exposure

ImmunologicSensitization

Allergic Disease

VirusesAir Pollution

Tobacco Smoke

Mild Moderate Severe

Other Exposures

(Death)

GeneticPredisposition

Or Susceptibility

Adapted from: Indoor Allergens: Assessing and Controlling Adverse Health Effects, N.A.P., 1993

No AllergicSymptoms

Non-SensitiveNon-SensitiveHostHost

OvertAllergic Symptoms

HypersensitiveHypersensitiveHostHost

No to MildAllergic Symptoms

IgE

IgE

IgEIgE

IgE

IgE IgE

IgE

IgE

IgEIgE

IgE

IgEIgE

IgEIgEIgE

IgE

IgE IgE

SensitizedHost

AllergenAllergen

Initial exposure Repeated exposure

Adapted from: Indoor Allergens: Assessing and Controlling Adverse Health Effects, N.A.P., 1993

Outdoorair

Supply airReturn air

Exhaust

HVAC System in Standard Classroom

Mix

Reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants such as CO2 and fine particles

Provide an adequate amount of fresh air to the occupants in the space

Effectively exchange the stale used air from the space

This isa

Uni-vent

DO NOT cover ceiling or

uni-vent openings

with books, papers

or other obstructions

• Check for air circulation with a tissue strip on the end of a yardstick.

• If air is not circulating, contact custodial services.

Pets: Animal dander, saliva, feces, urine

Things from outside: Pollen, insect parts

Mold: Old food or wet conditions in building

Dust mites: Stuffed couches, chairs and stuffed animals and fleecy items

Increased exposure to fine particles containing allergens or chemical contaminants may lead to illness or disease, especially asthma.

Fine dust particles are released: • By roughhousing on the donated couch• By resident animals • By walking on carpeting• By moving dust or dusty items

If not removed by circulated fresh air, picked up by dusting or removed by quality vacuuming or carpet extraction, particles (allergens) build up in the space and increase exposure to occupants.

Cleaning supplies

Pesticides

Lab chemicals

Art supplies

Dry erase pens, smelly markers

Candles

Plug-ins

Perfume

Hair spray

Ionizing or Ozone producing“Air Purifiers”

Remove couches, stuffed chairs, fluffy furniture, bedding, stuffed animals and old carpeting.

Remove live animals from the classrooms (visitors only)

Advocate a policy limiting chemicals brought from home

For example: • Hair sprays• Perfumes• Cleaners• Plug-ins• Candles

What can you do?

Help your custodian to do a great job for you!!

What can you do to help keep the classroom clean?

Before you dismiss your class, have your students clear the floor around their desks and place their chairs on their desks or stack them.

This makes it easier for the custodian to vacuum and allows for cleaning of horizontal surfaces - removing dust.

How to help the custodian:

Use dust free storage such as stackable plastic cubes for books and papers

Clear horizontal surfaces so these may be easily wiped down

Conduct messy projects over tiled room sections or protect carpeting with tarps

Other helps:

Talk to your association representative

Learn about safety committees

Learn about IEQ committees

More information is available on the WEA web site

What to do next: