IH K-12 Insights - May 2025

Breathe Easy:
Indoor Air Quality
Insights for K-12 Administrators

May 2025 Issue

For this quarterly newsletter, Landmark Environmental, Inc. is focusing on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Our Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH) and team of scientists, Project Managers, and Air Monitoring Specialists (AMSs) collaborated to identify specific issues and hazardous conditions or materials we've encountered in Colorado K-12 schools.

As we prioritize the health and well-being of students and staff, it's crucial to address the unique IAQ challenges that arise in both new and older school buildings, remodels, and renovations. While many are familiar with the IAQ "basics," we want to highlight some specific considerations we've identified and provide actionable insights to promote a healthy learning environment.

Unique Aspects of Schools and IAQ Challenges

Schools have distinct IAQ concerns due to their unique design and usage patterns. According to the EPA's Reference Guide for Indoor Air Quality in Schools, several factors contribute to these challenges:

Tightly Sealed Buildings: Modern construction techniques often result in more tightly sealed buildings to improve energy efficiency. However, this can lead to increased concentrations of chemicals from building materials. Monitoring and managing these chemical levels is essential to ensure a safe environment.
Reduced Ventilation Rates: In efforts to save energy, ventilation rates may be reduced, which can adversely impact IAQ. Verification of design-balance parameters and appropriate maintenance are important to mitigate this risk.
Synthetic Building Materials and Furnishings: Installation of synthetic materials in newer buildings or during renovation can contribute to IAQ issues. These materials may release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, or create odors that affect air quality. Ensuring proper ventilation and selecting low-emission "green" building materials can mitigate this concern.
Maintenance & Housekeeping Chemical Use and Storage: The chemicals used in cleaning and sanitizing schools, including those for virus removal, can introduce VOCs into the air. Implementing green cleaning practices and using environmentally friendly products can reduce these emissions.

Case Study

Landmark provided IAQ consulting services when dangerous levels were found in a temporary annex of modular buildings for employee use while municipal offices were renovated.

Shortly after occupancy of the facility, employees complained of various symptoms, including eye irritation, upper respiratory tract irritation, and headaches. IAQ testing conducted in various areas of the facility found air registered dangerously high levels of formaldehyde and other VOCs that are carcinogenic.

The temporary facility was evacuated due to excessive levels of formaldehyde, which is found in materials such as foam insulation, caulking, and laminate flooring.

As this relates to schools, surges in student population have resulted in the use of portable classrooms. However, these were not originally designed to serve the unique requirements of schools, and portable classrooms often become permanent fixtures of the school.

Pressed-wood products, which may contain higher concentrations of formaldehyde, are used more frequently in factory-built portable units than in buildings constructed onsite. As a result, concentrations of some airborne chemicals may be higher in portable classrooms, especially if ventilation is reduced.

Recommendations

Regular building condition and HVAC assessments help identify and address potential IAQ issues before they become significant problems. Schools should also perform IAQ assessments whenever there are changes to the building structure, HVAC systems, or there are complaints about air quality.

Maintaining good IAQ is crucial for the health and well-being of students and staff, as poor air quality can lead to various health issues and affect overall performance.

Age of the Building: Older buildings may have outdated Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems that may be re-configured over time and can struggle to provide adequate air exchange rates, leading to elevated Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels and poor fresh air makeup. Regular maintenance, checking fresh air supply rates at supply diffusers, filter changes, and potentially replacing outdated systems are crucial steps to ensure proper IAQ. The location of air intakes is also an important consideration.
Building Pressurization: Inadequate HVAC systems can result in variable or poor building pressurization, allowing moisture infiltration around doors and windows, which can lead to mold growth. Monitoring and maintaining proper pressurization is vital to prevent these issues.
Moisture Intrusion & Water Loss Events: Moisture intrusion from stormwater events into the building envelope and leaking pipes and drains can promote biological material (mold and bacterial) growth and pose adverse conditions to good IAQ. Rapid identification of the source, nature, and extent of moisture intrusion and corrective actions following good industrial hygiene practices are critical.
Temperature and Humidity: Imbalances in HVAC systems can affect temperature and Relative Humidity (RH), impacting overall comfort and air quality. Adhering to guidelines from organizations like the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) can help maintain optimal conditions.
Hazardous Materials: Various hazardous materials found in schools can significantly impact IAQ, leading to potential health risks:
- Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a VOC that easily evaporates into the air at room temperature. It is commonly found in insulation, particle boards, carpets, countertops, glues, fabrics, and surface coatings. In poorly ventilated spaces, formaldehyde can lead to higher indoor concentrations, causing irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, respiratory issues, and even cancer with prolonged exposure.
- Fibrous Minerals/Asbestos. Fibrous minerals, such as asbestos, can remain suspended in the air for long periods before settling in dust. This makes them a continuous source of exposure, especially during renovations or demolitions. Found in building materials like ceiling and floor tiles and insulation, inhaling these fibers can lead to serious health issues, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
- Recycled Rubber. Recycled rubber products, used in playgrounds and flooring, can emit VOCs that contribute to indoor air pollution. Over time, these products can degrade, releasing small particles into the air. This raises concerns over synthetic rubber's off-gassing and the inhalation of rubber particulates, which can affect respiratory health.
- Flame Retardants. Flame retardants are chemicals used to reduce the risk of fire in various products, including building materials, wallpaper, manufactured wood products, carpets, insulations, caulking/sealants, electronics, and furnishings. These chemicals can be released into the air and dust within indoor environments, posing health risks such as respiratory issues and hormonal disruptions.

IAQ Considerations Observed by Landmark

Questions

If you have any questions regarding IAQ assessments or if Landmark can provide any assistance, don't hesitate to contact Matt Roberts (mroberts@landmarkenviro.com).