GLENDALE, Ariz. - The American Indoor Air Quality Council has approved a program to reward its certified members who assist schools with indoor air quality issues. The IAQ Council will grant up to 12 re-certification credits per year to Council-certified professionals who help public or private schools implement IAQ programs such as the U.S. 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, IAQ Council executive director. "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."

The IAQ Council will recognize certificants who help implement or maintain the Tools for Schools program, either as school employees or unpaid volunteers. Certificants earn re-certification credits for participating in program administration, staff training, complaint investigation, consulting, or remediation.

EPA created the IAQ Tools for Schools program in 1995 to help school and district administrators address indoor air quality 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/.

The American Indoor Air Quality Council is a nonprofit certifying body founded in 1993 to serve the indoor air quality industry. The IAQ Council operates independent, third-party accredited certification programs for indoor environmental consultants, microbial consultants, microbial remediators, indoor air quality administrators, and residential mold inspectors.

Publication date: 06/18/2007