Eight U.S. school districts that are leading the way to prevent and solve indoor air quality problems in schools are being honored at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools National Symposium (TfS) in Washington, D.C., December 4-6, 2008.

This year’s TfS award winners are:

  • Connecticut Technical High School System, Middletown, CT
  • Newark Public Schools, Newark, NJ
  • North East Independent School District, San Antonio, TX
  • Amity Regional School District No. 5, Woodbridge, CT; Baldwin Union Free School District, Baldwin, NY
  • Bellingham School District, Bellingham, WA Diane Rhodes of San Antonio, TX
  • Peggy Caruso of Katy, TX.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) problems in schools can lead to a range of health problems, including allergy symptoms and asthma attacks. Students and staff exposed to poor IAQ can also suffer diminished performance and concentration.

The three-day symposium focuses on the latest research and information on environmental health topics such as radon, mold, asthma management, maintaining ventilation systems for good IAQ, integrated pest management, green cleaning products and practices, and best practices of high-performing schools.