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Sixteen Schools Receive EPA Indoor Air Quality Awards

Release Date: 10/27/2003
Contact Information:


Contact: John Millett, 202-564-7842

(10/27/03) Schools and individuals demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to improving indoor air quality received recognition at the fourth annual Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Symposium in Washington, D.C. Hosted by EPA, hundreds of school officials attended the symposium to discuss the basics of how to identify and resolve indoor environmental problems in schools.

“Because children spend a significant amount of time in schools, we must ensure that our nation’s schools are free of indoor pollutants and irritants that may affect the health and productivity of staff and students,” said Acting EPA Administrator Marianne Horinko. “Schools that implement indoor air quality improvements as recommended by our Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program continue to see dramatic, positive results. We are proud to recognize these schools and school districts that have stepped up and taken action to make indoor air quality a priority. They provide a model for schools nationwide to proactively manage indoor air quality, which leads to a better learning environment. We hope that more and more schools choose to become involved, and we believe that the long_term health benefits for our children will be significant,” Horinko said.

Mold, mildew, dust, animal dander, radon, secondhand smoke, asbestos, and formaldehyde can affect indoor air quality and trigger various allergies and asthma. Asthma alone accounts for 14 million missed school days each year. The rate of asthma in young children has risen by 160 percent in the last 15 years, and today one out of every 13 school_age children has asthma.

Twenty-two schools have implemented exemplary Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) programs and EPA is honoring them with the prestigious IAQ Tools for Schools Excellence Award. These award winners have implemented effective programs in their schools ranging from designing a new school building free of toxins and other hazards to developing district_wide policies for continuous training and maintenance. The individuals and schools are listed below.

Since the creation of the IAQ TfS program, more than 10,000 schools across the country have voluntarily become involved. The IAQ TfS program teaches schools how to identify, resolve, and prevent IAQ problems through low_ and no_cost measures. The program explains IAQ management, facility planning and maintenance, financing, communications, and emergency response. An IAQ Tools for Schools Kit also includes easy_to_use checklists for all school personnel, sample management plans, and a unique indoor air problem solving wheel. More information on the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program (IAQ TfS), the 2003 National Symposium, and the award-winners is available online at https://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools.

2003 IAQ Tools for Schools Special Achievement Award Winners

Recognized for providing assistance to schools districts on a state_wide basis:

• John Gayetsky, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio
• Greg Lookabaugh, Education Service Center, Texas and an officer with the Texas Association of School Business Officials

Student advocates for good indoor air quality:

• Emily Fulmer, Applied Environmental Science Working Group, Mt. Whitney High School, Visalia, Calif.
• Matthew Toy, Environmentally Concerned Kids Club, Northgate High School, Walnut Creek, Calif.

Health advocates recognized for their work at the grass_roots level to affect change in their community schools:

• Barbara Johnson, Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics Outreach Service Volunteers, Columbus, Ohio
• Clatie Campbell, Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics Outreach Service Volunteers, Trenton, N.J.

2003 IAQ Tools for Schools Excellence Award Winners

• Adams Twelve Five Star Schools, Thornton, Colo.
• Bellingham School District #501, Bellingham, Wash.
• Blount County School System, Maryville, Tenn.
• Blue Valley Unified School District #229, Overland Park, Kan.
• Cle Elum_Roslyn School District, Cle Elum, Wash.
• Clovis Unified School District, Clovis, Calif.
• Harford County Public Schools, Bel Air, Md.
• Millcreek Township School District, Erie, Pa.
• Perkins Public Schools, Sandusky, Ohio
• Radnor Township School District, Wayne, Pa.
• Rochester Public Schools, Rochester, Min.
• Salt Lake City School District, Salt Lake City, Utah
• The School District of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Fla.
• Waterford Public Schools, Waterford, Conn.
• Westborough Public Schools, Westborough, Mass.
• West Carrollton City School District, West Carrollton, Ohio