Environmental factors in schools can cause serious health problems for children. Poor maintenance of school environments can cause or intensify illnesses among children and their teachers, resulting in higher rates of absenteeism, less time in the classroom, and ultimately, reduced academic achievement. But programs that promote healthy indoor air quality, or IAQ, can improve health, increase students' ability to learn, improve test scores, and improve adult productivity in the school system. Maintaining physical conditions and good environmental quality in schools can yield a high rate of return on academic outcomes.

School districts can integrate no-cost and low-cost activities that safeguard the school environment and achieve significant health and performance improvements. School districts with proactive facility maintenance programs have demonstrated a strong business case for coordinating activities to improve the physical environment, as well as student health, in an integrated program focused on improved academic achievement.

To learn more about the EPA's Tools for Schools guidelines, click here.