# School Air Quality: New Report by Center for Green Schools

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/05/school-air-quality-green-schools-report/
- Published: 2022-05-10T15:21:01-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

May 5, 2022 ([Washington, DC](https://build.usgbc.org/e/413862/2022-05-05/xqwbgy/1751478706?h=GK_IE-D1QUqK6IF7bqroH6gcgBdGFKEjJ_ZykVq6-LA))–
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council has released a new
[report](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/11/epa-school-health-monitoring-reveals-positive-results/)
detailing how school [districts](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/09/upbeat-climate-green-schools-movement/)
around the country have continued to manage air quality within their schools. Especially
during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

![green schools](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/
erika-fletcher-MZxqc6n9qCw-unsplash.jpg?resize=420%2C280&quality=52&ssl=1)

The [report](https://build.usgbc.org/e/413862/ressed-air-quality-second-year/xqwbjc/1751478706?h=GK_IE-D1QUqK6IF7bqroH6gcgBdGFKEjJ_ZykVq6-LA),
Managing Air Quality in the Pandemic: How K-12 Schools Addressed Air Quality in 
the Second Year of COVID-19. For it builds on an April 2021 [report](https://build.usgbc.org/e/413862/asures-protect-occupants-covid/xqwbjg/1751478706?h=GK_IE-D1QUqK6IF7bqroH6gcgBdGFKEjJ_ZykVq6-LA),“
Preparation in the Pandemic: How Schools Implemented Air Quality Measures to Protect
Occupants from COVID-19,” which was the first and only known national survey of 
on-the-ground implementation of indoor air quality (IAQ) improvements at schools
during the [COVID-19](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/04/reducing-energy-debts-from-covid-19/)
pandemic.

The new report highlights the urgent need to better support school districts with
the implementation of airborne infection control strategies. That’s to support mitigation
of the immediate COVID-19 threat. In addition to future pandemics, seasonal epidemics
and to improve overall [indoor air quality](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/09/clean-ingredient-cleaners-for-eco-conscious-living/).

“Maintaining good indoor [air quality](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/06/air-officials-in-california-to-hear-public-comments-on-ev-transition/)
is vital to support the health and wellness of students and faculty,” said Anisa
Heming, director for the Center for Green Schools. “School districts recognize that
proper ventilation is critical to curbing the spread of airborne diseases like COVID-
19. However, more than two years into the pandemic. I mean they still need support
to find the right strategies and resources to make the necessary changes.”

## Schools Prioritize Outdoor Air Intake

The report shows that schools prioritize increasing outdoor air intake by whatever
means were available to them. It reflects on how the pandemic and schools’ responses
to it are evolving. The survey responses indicate that school districts in different
locales are seeking guidance. Especiallyfrom different types of sources. Such locales
are urban versus non-urban.

![Children in green schools](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/
2022/05/note-thanun-CYlPykF-qAM-unsplash.jpg?resize=300%2C269&quality=52&ssl=1)

Widespread education of school system administrators and staff is in need. That’s
to ensure awareness of indoor air quality [recommendations](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/07/improve-indoor-air-quality-guide-to-air-purifiers/).
Additionally, the availability of federal COVID-19 relief funds for [indoor air quality](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/11/heat-pump-secrets-for-homeowners-uncovered/)
measures. To support schools, the White House’s new COVID-19 strategies include 
a focus on [indoor air quality](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/12/community-cooling-centers-provide-essential-relief/)
in schools. Moreover, with the federal government investing millions to help schools.
That’s to improve ventilation as a way to curb the spread of the virus and avoid
shutdowns.

“Studies have shown a direct link between indoor air quality in [schools and student](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/05/green-schools-student-benefits-for-better-health/)
performance and attendance,” said 2021-22 ASHRAE President Mick Schwedler, P.E.,
Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP. “This study further underscores the importance of not only
providing technical guidance for improving indoor [air quality](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/10/improving-efficiency-in-grain-storage-tips-and-practices/)
but the need for practical implementation strategies. We trust that the findings
in this report will lead to more knowledge sharing, expanded partnerships, and greater
investments to improve [indoor air quality](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/03/surprising-facts-about-indoor-air-quality/)
and decarbonize our schools.”

## School Challenges and Strategies

The Center for [Green Schools report](https://greenlivingguy.com/2007/06/green-building-costar-report-the-bottom-line/)
was co-authored with researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Additionally,
development came from technical support from ASHRAE. The report illuminates strategies
and challenges from [school](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/05/green-schools-student-benefits-for-better-health/)
districts that serve over 2.6 million students in over 4,000 schools. Among major
findings:

 1. The top challenge for schools in implementing many of the recommended indoor air
    quality (IAQ) measures was that [buildings’ HVAC systems were not designed](https://greenlivingguy.com/2009/09/speaking-at-go-green-expo-green-building-and-design-conference-in-new-jersey/)
    to implement the recommendations. Researchers did not find specific challenges 
    with any particular school district characteristics studied. For instance, demographics,
    locale, or size.
 2. There is no association with school district characteristics such as demographics,
    locale and size with the number of IAQ measures. However, there is ano association
    with the implementation of specific measures. Such as increasing outdoor air through
    HVAC systems and assessing outdoor air delivery.
 3. American Rescue Plan (ARP) [Elementary and Secondary School](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/12/thermalito-union-elementary-school-district-buys-six-all-electric-school-buses-from-greenpower-motor/)
    Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding has been used to support the implementation of
    IAQ measures. More than funding from operating or capital budgets. Just over half
    of school districts reported that they felt they had access to funding. That’s 
    to support additional IAQ-related building improvements.
 4. Non-urban districts were more likely to lean on [state and local](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/01/state-and-local-green-grants-drive-community-transformation/)
    guidance. Moreover, urban districts were more likely to use federal-level guidance
    and guidance from national organizations like ASHRAE.
 5. Over a quarter of districts responded with the following. That there were no new
    plans to implement additional ventilation, filtration or other building [changes in schools](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/05/addressing-climate-change-a-core-curriculum-for-global-schools/).

The Center for Green Schools’ work to develop and release this report is possible
through generous support from Trane® – by Trane Technologies.

### A message from Donny Simmons, president, Commercial HVAC Americas, Trane Technologies

<

p align=”left”>“Even with effective strategies and funding available, school systems
are still challenged to implement recommended indoor air quality measures,” said
Donny Simmons, president, Commercial HVAC Americas, Trane Technologies. “Among the
many barriers illustrated in the report is that indoor air quality is not one-size-
fits-all; school systems need more support to develop tailored solutions that address
industry best practices and the specific needs and desired outcomes for the school.
As a longstanding partner in education, we are proud to support this important work
to create healthier, more comfortable, and [sustainable learning environments](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/05/see-green-business-eco-minded-entrepreneurs/)
for students and staff, setting schools and communities up for lasting success.”

The report came from a national survey of public school districts from October-December
2021. The goal is to assess the implementation of a range of ventilation, filtration,
disinfection, and [air quality](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/04/best-practices-for-indoor-air-quality-in-green-buildings/)
monitoring strategies; and was followed by focus group discussions with participants.
[View the full report](https://build.usgbc.org/e/413862/ressed-air-quality-second-year/xqwbjc/1751478706?h=GK_IE-D1QUqK6IF7bqroH6gcgBdGFKEjJ_ZykVq6-LA).

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
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Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
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Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
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