Schools Battle IAQ Problems across the Mid-Atlantic

Feb. 21, 2011 - PRLog -- The official State of Delaware website has a dedicated section on indoor air quality (IAQ) at school.  According to the website, “Delawareans often have questions regarding the indoor air quality of Delaware's schools. Both parents of children who attend school and teachers who work in schools are often concerned about the quality of the air in the schools. If you are a parent of a child in school or a teacher who works in a Delaware school, there are some helpful steps that you can take in order to address questions and concerns about the indoor air quality in schools.”

The following steps are also listed for residents concerned about IAQ in the state’s schools:

1. Look for obvious causes of odor, such as water leaks, spoiled food or other odors that can be easily traced to a source by a teacher or a parent. It is important to remember that mold can detract from good indoor air quality. Mold growth can quickly result from water intrusion - within 24 to 48 hours. Report and address water problems immediately.

2. Parents can report any odors or other air quality concerns to teachers, the principal, the school nurse or the building maintenance staff; teachers can report any odors or other air quality concerns to the principal or the building maintenance staff. Both parents and teachers can also notify school district maintenance of odors or water problems.

3. Follow up on any illnesses that you feel may be associated with the odor or air quality by seeing your health care provider.

4. Both parents and teachers can gather additional information about indoor air quality issues through credible sources, such as the Delaware Division of Public Health - Indoor Air Quality or the Environmental Protection Agency - Indoor Air Quality, specifically the EPA's IAQ Design Tools for Schools Program.

Sussex Environmental Health Consultants, LLC (SEHC) is an environmental, health and safety (EHS) consulting firm located in Delaware that has decades of experience helping to identify and resolve IAQ issues in schools. “According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), poor indoor air quality can cause illness requiring absence from school, and can cause acute health symptoms that decrease performance while at school,” stated Susan White, Ph.D., CMC, President of SEHC.  “It’s important to identify problems early to prevent health issues from developing from IAQ issues,” she continued.

To learn more about Sussex Environmental Health Consultants and indoor air quality services please visit http://www.sussexenvironmental.com, email susan.white@mchsi.com or call (302) 947-1810.

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About Sussex Environmental Health Consultants, LLC
SEHC is a certified woman owned business that provides environmental and health and safety consulting services. The company is located in the Mid-Atlantic and services clients nationwide. SEHC provides solutions to clients ranging from homeowners to international Fortune 500 corporations.