Resources from EPA on Cleaning Schools to Control for Viruses and Bacteria

EPA Indoor Environments Division sent this bulletin at 05/14/2020 04:37 PM EDT

Resources from EPA on Cleaning Schools

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Hello Webinar Attendees and Registrants, 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would like to thank you for your interest in our webinar on Cleaning Schools to Control for Viruses and Bacteria: Maintaining Healthy Indoor Learning Environments. We had a record turn out! We appreciated your patience and understanding as we navigated technological challenges for this webinar. 

Our presenters shared some of their latest research and insights on the spread of viruses and bacteria in schools, and emphasized best practices for cleaning and disinfecting classrooms and school facilities. This webinar was not recorded and we will not be offering a certificate for participant attendance. However, we will be sending out more information throughout the summer in response to some of the questions we received from participants. We are also looking into hosting another webinar on cleaning and maintenance with our expert speakers later this summer. Additionally, we will continue to provide technical assistance on maintaining healthy indoor learning environments through our ongoing Knowledge to Action Professional Training Webinar Series. 

In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about IAQ, cleaning, and preventive maintenance, EPA has many resources available to support your work.

Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools 

IAQ Tools for Schools: Preventive Maintenance Guidance—Use this guide to help you address specific IAQ issues and successfully implement each stage of an IAQ preventive maintenance plan. The sections of this Guidance translate into four distinct and actionable steps for implementing preventive maintenance in your schools. Use the Guidance in conjunction with the IAQ Preventive Maintenance Checklist (Appendix A) to access best practices and critical information to prioritize your goals, as well as the IAQ Preventive Maintenance Model Plan (Appendix B) to develop a tailored plan unique to your school’s specifications.

IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit—The Action Kit is a compilation of the information necessary to implement an effective IAQ management plan at little or no cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff. The Kit includes information on best practices, industry guidelines, sample policies and a sample IAQ management plan.

Framework for Effective School IAQ Management—The Framework breaks down the process of IAQ management into manageable, actionable steps and organizational approaches. The IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit tells you what to do, and the Framework shows you how to do it. The Framework also offers Technical Solutions that contain information on major IAQ issues.

School IAQ Assessment Mobile App—The Mobile App is a “one-stop shop” for accessing EPA’s comprehensive school IAQ management guidance and detailed walkthrough assessment checklists that address critical building-related environmental health issues.

Energy Savings Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for School Building Upgrades—This Guide, and accompanying Interactive Air Quality Planner, equips school districts to integrate IAQ protections into school energy efficiency retrofits and upgrades without compromising occupant health.

IAQ Professional Training Webinars—The web-based trainings in the IAQ Master Class Professional Training Webinar Series and IAQ Knowledge-to-Action Professional Training Webinar Series provide school district staff across the country with the knowledge needed to start, improve or sustain an IAQ management program within their school or school district. Each pre-recorded webinar features technical experts, industry leaders and model school districts and is followed by a 30-minute mentoring question-and-answer session. Gain recognition for your knowledge achievement and commitment to action through certificates of completion and continuing education units for each training.

CDC and EPA Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting

Here is where you can access Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools and Homes from CDC and EPA.  

EPA offers Frequently Asked Questions related to coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) on our website. 

Check out this list on disinfectants for use against coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) on EPA's website or web-based app for smart phone users. 

EPA’s Safer Choice program helps consumers, businesses, and purchasers find products that perform and contain ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment. You can learn more about Safer Choice related programs here: 

 

Questions?
EPA offers free IAQ Tools for Schools resources—including the School IAQ Assessment Mobile App—to help schools maintain a healthy indoor environment by identifying, correcting and preventing IAQ problems. Learn more about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance and access other valuable school environmental health resources at www.epa.gov/iaq-schools.

If you have any questions about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance, please contact the IAQ Tools for Schools Connector Coordinator at iaqschools@epa.gov.