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U.S. Department of Education Encourages Use of American Rescue Plan Funds to Improve Ventilation and IAQ in Schools

Indoor air quality is critical to reopening schools safely and keeping them open. The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance encouraging the use of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to improve ventilation systems and make other indoor air quality improvements in schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and tackle longstanding school ventilation improvement needs. Indoor air quality improvements are critical for creating healthier indoor learning environments not only to safely reopen schools, but also to keep them open and ensure the sustained health and productivity of students, teachers, and staff. In the press release for the guidance, Secretary Cardona notes, "With the American Rescue Plan, schools and districts now have access to unprecedented resources that will enable them to ensure proper ventilation and maintain healthy learning and working environments."

The new Department of Education guidance highlights EPA resources to support investments in improved ventilation and indoor air quality. Use the following resources from EPA to supplement the information in the guidance.

• Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Visit this page for the latest guidance on best indoor air practices to limit the spread of COVID-19.
• Ventilation and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Ventilation is an important approach to lowering concentrations of indoor air pollutants, including viruses. Increase the ventilation in your school with outdoor air when possible.
• Air Cleaners, HVAC filters, and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Air cleaners and HVAC filters can help to reduce viruses and pollutants in the air. Consider upgrading the HVAC filters in your system and using safe, effective portable air cleaners to supplement HVAC filtration. Note: Do not use air cleaners that intentionally generate ozone in occupied spaces.
• Implementing a Layered Approach to Address COVID-19 in Public Indoor Spaces: A layered risk reduction approach is best to limit airborne transmission of COVID-19 – learn how to combine increased ventilation and filtration with other CDC recommendations, such as wearing masks and social distancing.

Visit the Healthy Indoor Environments in Schools During COVID-19 Pandemic page, the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools Program’s clearinghouse for resources and guidance about indoor air considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Improve IAQ in your school long-term by following ventilation best practices outlined in the IAQ Tools for Schools program.

• Provide Quality HVAC: One of the key components of an effective IAQ management program is to provide quality HVAC and plan for routine HVAC maintenance. Well-maintained HVAC systems mean your facilities have better air circulation and reduced levels of pollutants, all while helping your school save money from unexpected repairs.
• Conduct an HVAC Assessment: Evaluate the condition and operation of the existing HVAC system components. During the assessment, note which buildings would benefit from ventilation system upgrades and itemize those upgrades to potentially use in future funding requests. Use the ventilation checklist and the ventilation checklist background information sheet to guide your inspection.
• Ventilation Design and Upgrades: The IAQ Design Tools for Schools guidance has a chapter on proper ventilation design, operation, and maintenance in schools. Even if you are not building a new ventilation system, this resource can still help you understand your system and how each component plays a critical role.
• Expand your Knowledge: Access training about ventilation in the IAQ Tools for Schools on-demand training webinars. The Healthy Indoor Environments in Schools Webinar Series shares best ventilation practices to reduce the spread of viruses in school facilities. Learn how to:

• Create strategies for operating and maintaining efficient HVAC systems with Let’s Clear the Air;
• Create a game plan to prioritize IAQ improvements to ensure healthy air with Ventilation and Virus Mitigation in Schools; and
• Apply research-based guidance on implementing layered risk reduction strategies with Rooted in Research.

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