GLENDALE, Ariz. - The American Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Council has approved a program to reward its certificants who assist schools, either as school employees or as unpaid volunteers, with IAQ issues.

The IAQ Council will grant up to 12 re-certification credits (RCs) per year to Council-certified professionals who help public or private schools implement IAQ programs such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) IAQ Tools for Schools.

“Tools for Schools needs greater exposure as an effective way for schools to monitor and improve IAQ for children,” said Charlie Wiles, executive director of the IAQ Council. “At the same time, the IAQ Council would like to recognize our many certificants who act as ‘IAQ mentors’ in their communities. Our program meets both of these needs at once.”

Certificants earn RCs for participating in program administration, staff training, complaint investigation, consulting or remediation. EPA created Tools for Schools in 1995 to help school and district administrators address IAQ issues through the use of low-cost methods and in-house staff. The action kit that accompanies the program includes best practices, industry guidelines, sample policies, and a sample IAQ management plan.

For more information, visit www.epa.gov/iaq/schools.

Publication date: 07/30/2007