Public Schools Have Not Improved Indoor Air Quality Since Pandemic - CDC Report
CDC report finds fewer than 40% of schools have replaced or upgraded their HVAC systems
“School facility managers and custodians are tasked with creating a healthy environment for students and teachers during the pandemic. Although schools have been concentrating on increased and enhanced cleaning, most have not given as much attention to the indoor air quality (IAQ), even though COVID-19 is spread through the air. According to a new report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fewer than 40% of American public schools have replaced or upgraded their HVAC systems since the start of the pandemic and even less (28%) are using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.”
“The report also found that 73.6% of public schools opted to relocate activities outdoors while 70.5% chose to use the same filtration systems as before. The CDC’s information revealed similar results as a report issued last month by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) which found IAQ in schools lacking.”
“Funding appears to be a major obstacle for schools, as roughly 25% of school officials believe they do not have the resources to improve ventilation, while another quarter are “unsure” whether funding is available. The time-consuming process of hiring contractors and acquiring state/federal approval is also a likely hindrance.”