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What is air quality and Why Does it Matter?
What is air quality and Why Does it Matter?
For a printable version visit: Air Quality Big Picture Goals, Mandates, and Strategies
Air is vital to the well-being of all organisms and the health of the environment. The Air Resources Board defines air quality as the condition of the air in one’s surroundings, and the degree that it is free of pollution (unwanted chemicals or particles in the air that degrade its quality). For human health, it is important to consider both outdoor and indoor air quality, and to consider the impact of operations and practices of our institutions from an environmental, social, and economic perspective.
Environmental: Human-made air pollution is most commonly caused by the burning of fossil fuels which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In the lower atmosphere, these gases form acid rain that severely impacts ecosystems. In the upper atmosphere, these emissions contribute to human enhanced global warming and climate change.
Social: Poor air quality in the lower atmosphere has a significant impact on human health. These impacts affect lower-income communities and countries, as well as urbanized populations, disproportionately. In schools, indoor air pollution worsens student and teacher health and lowers academic performance.
Economic: Air pollution also costs the global economy trillions of dollars annually. Students’ absences due to asthma and other air-pollution-related illnesses cost public schools funding and can result in a loss of instructional days.
With all of these environmental, social, and economic consequences, as well as direct impacts on schools, it is absolutely critical that schools do their part to prevent further contribution to air pollution and to protect their stakeholders from existing effects.
Key mandates
Key mandates
For a printable version visit: Air Quality Big Picture Goals, Mandates, and Strategies
AB 1173 (2002): Required the Air Resources Board (ARB) to prepare a comprehensive report on indoor air quality. This report has led to extensive Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) recommendations for schools - see EPA overview here.
AB 841 (expected in May 2021): School Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program would grant schools funding for more energy-efficient and better functioning HVAC systems in schools. 25% of all new systems will be allocated for schools in underserved communities and they will receive priority for new systems.
The Air Resources Board oversees the mandates:
AB 32 (2006): Requires California to reduce its GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 — a reduction of approximately 15 percent below emissions expected under a “business as usual” scenario.
AB 197 & SB 32 (2016): Expands AB32 and proclaims there will be a reduction in GHG emissions to 40% below the 1990 levels by 2030. It increases legislative oversight of CARB and ensures CARB must report to the Legislature.
EO-B-30-15 (2015): This executive order established a California greenhouse gas reduction target of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050.
Air Quality Goals & Strategies
Air Quality Goals & Strategies
Goal Example: Achieve a high indoor air quality rating in all facilities and adopt healthy outdoor air quality policies.
Goal Example: Achieve a high indoor air quality rating in all facilities and adopt healthy outdoor air quality policies.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Indoor air pollutants may be 2-5 times higher than outside pollutants, and most people spend 90% of their time indoors. Therefore, schools need to put into place policies and practices that address maintaining healthy indoor air quality. Recommendations for improving and maintaining healthy IAQ include the following:
Develop and Implement IAQ Policies and Practices: Support a district-wide IAQ management approach that provides education to school officials, establishes routine inspection and maintenance policies, and creates a plan for the regular monitoring of indoor air quality that includes a high quality standard.
Remove sources of pollutants: Prioritize proper chemical management, ban all smoking on school grounds, and buy strategic materials with “Energy Star” or “Designed for the Environment” labels.
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System Efficiency and Maintenance: Set a baseline standard of five air changes per hour (ACH) with the introduction and distribution of adequate outdoor air, devices should have HEPA filters (high-efficiency particulate air) or MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) filters. Filter should be MERV-13 or more efficient. Portable air cleans (PACs) with HEPA filters should provide 2-5 ACH may be needed. Regularly clean and maintain the system, and upgrade air filters on a regular cycle.
Outdoor Air Quality: While some events such as wildfire air pollution are outside of the immediate control of most school districts there are strategies that all schools can take towards reducing outdoor air contaminants on their campus and grounds such as:
Reduce air pollution from transportation: Promote a Safe Routes to School Program which creates a culture of biking, walking, bussing, and carpooling. Promote efficient public transportation for students and staff by communicating with community public transportation and setting up bike racks, carpool parking, or schoolwide roll to school days. Enforce a no-idling policy on school grounds.
Buildings & Grounds Maintenance: Implement an integrated pest management (IPM) plan that reduces the use of pesticides on school grounds. Use environmentally friendly paints, cleaning products, and building materials whenever possible. Promote energy efficiency by only using AC/heating when necessary, turn off devices that are not in use, and strategic buying. Plant trees on school grounds to reduce particulate matter.
Climate adaptation: Schools can adapt to the changing climate by preparing action plans for school days with poor air quality. Schools can plan for every stage of poor air quality events including consistently monitor local air quality index (AQI), adjust the level of outdoor activity when needed, and practice Shelter in Place Protocols when air quality reaches unsafe levels. After days with poor air quality schools can “air out” the building to promote healthy ventilation.
Get recognized for taking action!
Get recognized for taking action!
There are a number of local and statewide level programs that will recognize or award your school community for taking action.
Local Programs
San Mateo County Sustainable and Climate-Ready Schools Challenge
San Mateo County Green Star Schools
Statewide Programs
Green Ribbon (ED-GRS & CA-GRS): Pillar II- Element IIA: Environmental Health
WELL Health-Safety Rating- Air and Water Quality Management
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