A resting adult takes somewhere between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. Pre-school and school age children take many more breaths, while infants have been shown to take nearly twice as many breaths as an adult. These kinds of figures make the indoor air quality in schools significantly more important to consider. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that almost 75 million Americans live, work, or go to school in an environment where the air is unhealthy. The EPA also reports that indoor air quality in schools is problematic for over half of the schools in the country.
When you consider these facts, it is easy to see a correlation between the almost 6.8 million American children who have developed asthma in recent years. This problem is nationwide, and St. Louis is no different than any other American city.
For more information on improving indoor air quality in schools in the St. Louis area, read on below or contact Galmiche & Sons Heating and Air Conditioning today!
Factors Impacting School Indoor Air Quality
Each day nearly 55 million children attend schools nationwide. Because of a lack of emphasis on air quality in schools, many of these children spend most of the day exposed to pollutants that we are unable to see. Such pollutants can include the following:
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Radon
- Mold and mold spores
These pollutants and other irritants lower indoor air quality in schools and can contribute to a number of problems, including the following:
- Headaches
- Asthma & other respiratory problems
- Lower academic performance
- Increased absenteeism
Tips for Improving the Air Quality in Schools
With various factors impacting the air quality in schools, some of the following considerations can be made to support healthy indoor air:
- Utilizing & maintaining HVAC filters and carbon monoxide detectors
- Controlling moisture and mold
- Carefully selecting low hazard cleaning and building materials
- Mitigating vehicle fumes that linger around schools
Hiring Professionals to Improve the Indoor Air Quality in Schools
In addition to these steps, there are many things your local HVAC company can do to improve indoor air quality in schools. At Galmiche & Sons, we can perform routine HVAC maintenance and cleanings, thus helping to lower costs and improve indoor air quality in schools throughout the St. Louis area. We can also provide recommendations on steps and additional indoor air quality systems that can be used to further promote clean, healthy air in schools.
Some school indoor air quality problems are easy to fix once school personnel understand how a building should be checked and investigated. Additionally, if students and teachers also lend a hand by taking small steps to maintain proper indoor air quality in schools, many issues can be avoided.
Especially if the school buildings are older, they can be particularly susceptible to illnesses being spread around the environment. Many of these come from biological contaminants and are small enough to be inhaled. Apart from the regular pollutants, these are lurking in specific areas you may not suspect, yet can become airborne and get passed throughout the school via the HVAC system’s ducts. Some concerns may be:
- Dust mites
- Droppings from insects and rodents
- Viruses (cold and flu)
- Bacteria
These hazardous particles often thrive where there is dampness and moisture and if not handled appropriately, they significantly lower indoor air quality in schools and can spread germs and contribute to illnesses and health concerns. The experts at Galmiche & Sons are aware of all the locations where these dangers nestle. Our experts can seek out signs of any contaminants, and explain the full benefits of routine maintenance as well as the benefits of utilizing air purifiers and specialized air filters for allergies that have a high MERV rating.
Learn More About How Galmiche & Sons Can Help Improve the Air Quality in Your School
When children’s health is at risk, there should be no compromise on making sure they are adequately protected by improving indoor air quality in schools. In the greater St. Louis area, contact Galmiche & Sons Heating and Air Conditioning today to start the journey towards healthy air!
