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EPA's School Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Newsletter
Winter Edition
 Winter weather can present unique indoor air quality challenges for schools, including frozen and burst pipes, increased spread of respiratory viruses, exhaust from idling vehicles trying to keep warm, condensation dripping off poorly insulated windows, and issues with maintaining comfortable temperature and humidity. Winter also offers an opportunity for schools to reevaluate their indoor environments and implement an indoor air quality management plan with help from EPA's Tools for Schools Action Kit.
Keep reading for the latest school IAQ resources from EPA and its partners.
EPA resources
Check out EPA’s school IAQ training webinars
Did you know that EPA offers a suite of recorded webinars tailored for school districts seeking to launch or strengthen an IAQ management program? Through the IAQ Tools for Schools program, school district administrators, teachers, nurses, operations and maintenance staff, and other facilities staff can access our webinar series – all at no-cost and available anytime. View the recordings to learn from leading technical experts and model school districts on topics like asthma trigger management, HVAC operations, moisture control, preventive maintenance, and integrating IAQ with energy efficient operations. These webinars include evidence-based implementation strategies that any school district – regardless of size or location – can adopt.
Meet the Air Cleaning Allies!
The Air Cleaning Allies are the stars of EPA’s new activity book for children ages 7+. Follow along as they help a family learn about and address sources of indoor particle pollution. Students can join the adventure and complete a series of activities to learn about filtration and air cleaning with Merv the air filter, Aerie the air cleaner and DJ the do-it-yourself air cleaner.
Learn about radon with the Clean Air Superheroes!
In addition to the Air Cleaning Allies, EPA also published the Clean Air Superheroes Defeat Radon Activity Book. Students can join Mateo and his friends as they become superheroes in their community, learning about radon and how to defeat it in their homes. Follow along through fun, comic book-style illustrations and complete interactive activities, such as coloring pages, word searches, and I Spy.
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EPA grantee resources
The American Lung Association's (ALA) Clean Air School Challenge
- To help more schools address IAQ, ALA launched the Clean Air School Challenge. Through this program, grant funding is available for schools who assess their indoor air quality, develop an IAQ management plan, and/or implement some activities of an IAQ management plan. Individual schools can receive up to $9,500. Grant applications are non-competitive and no matching funds are required, but schools must join the Clean Air School Challenge to get started. Participating schools will also receive technical assistance, training, and the opportunity to join learning collaboratives. Check out answers to frequently asked questions, sign your school up today or contact CASC@Lung.org to get more information.
- ALA published a new report on IAQ in schools, A Win-Win for Lung Health: How Policies on Indoor Air Quality Make Schools Healthier and More Energy Efficient. Watch a short intro video and read the report to learn about school IAQ policies.
The Go Green Initiative (GGI)
- In partnership with the National School Boards Association, GGI is accepting applications through February 27, 2026, for their second round of school district grants. Selected districts will receive up to $45,000 in grants and in-person technical assistance for implementing an energy efficient IAQ management plan. Learn more and apply today.
- GGI and the National School Boards Association's 50-state IAQ in schools policy database is now available! Learn what IAQ in schools-related requirements exist in your state and download a ready-to-use policy template aligned with state regulations.
- Every month, GGI is updating its website with new articles, blogs, and podcasts; webinars; and free online courses.
The U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools
- The Center for Green Schools released an updated toolkit to support K-12 school districts in writing comprehensive Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plans. The free toolkit provides ready-to-use model plan language, background information, key resources, and case studies for school districts seeking to document their IAQ management practices while also prioritizing energy efficiency. To make it even easier, here is a short video explaining what a district-level Energy Efficient IAQ Management Plan is, why it matters, and how to get started.
- The Center for Green Schools published a new report, Setting a New School Indoor Air Quality Research Agenda. School systems rely on clear guidance and evidence to take meaningful action on improving air quality, yet current research does not always align with the needs of school stakeholders. To address this gap, the Center engaged approximately 100 school staff and researchers through four convenings held between 2023 and 2025 to co-develop a research agenda grounded in the challenges and priorities of K-12 schools. The resulting research agenda outlines the most pressing, actionable research questions schools need answered to advance healthier learning environments. The Center also published a one-page executive summary of the report.
- The Center for Green Schools and the Green Schools National Network will present the 16th annual Green Schools Conference on February 17-19, 2026, in San Diego, CA. Visit the website to learn more and register.
The New York State School Environmental Health Program
The University of Utah's Clean Air Schools for U
- Visit the University of Utah’s Clean Air Schools for U website to learn about their work with schools and sign up to participate in their program.
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