Indoor air quality in schools more important than ever 

At present, Connecticut provides more humane standards for pets in pet stores than for children and adults in schools. We can and must do better. —Donald Williams, Executive Director, Connecticut Education Association

By Donald Williams for Hartford Courant

The health of students, teachers and staff in our schools depends in large part on the quality of the air they breathe. In Connecticut, unfortunately, many students and adults are at risk and the concerns go far beyond the pandemic.

Hot temperatures, high humidity, mold and poor air quality undermine health and academic performance. Even before the pandemic, sick schools were a problem. Today, the importance of air quality has never been more critical, especially to help prevent the spread of disease such as childhood asthma, and various respiratory problems that strike children and adults. Concerns about air quality have only intensified with the elevated infection rates of the delta COVID-19 variant.

Schools have faced severe challenges and even been forced to close because of no air conditioning with classroom temperatures in the 80s and 90s. It is likely that in the future we will see more days with extreme heat, not less. These unsafe conditions literally make students and staff sick. Schools in every region of the state are affected, but asthma rates in children are highest in urban areas where schools are often under-resourced and less likely to be air-conditioned.

Studies show that unhealthy air and hot temperatures have a domino effect leading to higher rates of illness for students and adults, increased absenteeism and reduced academic achievement. Read More

Source: Hartford Courant