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Administrators: |
School administrators including superintendents, principals, school board members, and school business officials must provide leadership to maintain clean healthy schools. Policies put in place to achieve healthy schools, such as integrated pest management and indoor air quality policies will not only affect children with asthma, but all school children and staff. Through teamwork between school staff and families, children with asthma can receive the education they deserve.
There are many steps administrators can take to make sure students with asthma learn in a safe and healthy atmosphere.
General Education
- Initiate policies that reduce and prevent indoor air problems. Consider adopting the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) program Tools for Schools.
- At initial registration and the beginning of each school year, identify children with asthma.
- Require a copy of the physician’s prescribed Asthma Action Plan from the families of each child with asthma at initial registration and each subsequent school year. The Asthma Action Plan should include the child’s asthma triggers, medication, emergency contact information and procedures to follow in the event of an asthma attack.
- Designate a person(s), usually school nurse, to handle and maintain Asthma Action Plans and medications. Be sure teachers, the school nurse, athletic coaches, and bus drivers have access to relevant Asthma Action Plans.
- Provide families with information about asthma and how to reduce triggers at home. Start with: Asthma 101 and Top 10 Ways to Reduce Asthma Triggers at Home
- All relevant staff should be competent in asthma management. Provide asthma education for all staff on an annual basis.
Sanitation and Strong Odor Control
- Designate a person(s) to handle pesticide issues and track indoor air quality complaints.
- Regularly inspect the school for cleanliness - dusted, vacuumed, trash removed daily, etc.
- Prohibit the use of perfumes, candles, air fresheners, and cleaning products/pesticides.
Pest Control
- Use the Indiana Pesticide Review Board’s suggested Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, the Indiana Pest Control Policy Recommendations.
- Only use pesticides when signs of pests are detected and other strategies have not worked. Be sure pesticides are applied by a certified pesticide applicator or registered technician.
- All school staff and contract workers should know the health and safety policies, such as the pesticide policy, and have proper training.
Ventilation and Mold Control
- Inspect the school building for signs of leaks from the roof or plumbing and excess moisture such as condensation on the windows.
- Maintain humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent.
- Be sure the ventilation system is clean and working properly before the start of each term. Consider adopting EPA’s IAQ Tools for Schools recommendations for Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (H-VAC) Systems.
Renovation and Repair
- All contracts should contain language that maintains good indoor air quality. Review EPA’s recommendations on IAQ Design Tools for Schools Renovation and Repair before beginning renovation or repair projects. Require contract workers to adhere to the recommendations.
- Schedule pollutant and dust producing renovation activities when the facility is vacant, such as on weekends or vacation periods.
- Separate children and staff from renovation areas where dust and fumes are produced. Use exhaust fans to remove odors and dust.
- Prohibit the installation of carpet. Carpet is difficult to maintain and clean. Carpet can host dust mites, mold and pests when not maintained.
- Be sure there is proper ventilation during all renovation projects. Block returns from work areas to minimize dust and odors traveling to other areas of the building. Do not run generators near windows that open and close or ventilation air intakes.