Ongoing Projects

Dr. Nancy Daher

Industrial Hygiene

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is a growing concern, with pollutant levels often 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels. Because school staff and children spend a considerable amount of their time at schools, exposure to indoor air pollutants is of particular concern. Poor IAQ can affect the health, comfort, concentration and performance of school staff and students. IAQ is influenced by factors such as inadequate ventilation, synthetic materials, and external sources like wildfires and dust storms. Common pollutants include radon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. Clean Air Schools for U aims to improve IAQ and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in schools. It will be achieved through energy efficiency and IAQ assessments, indoor/outdoor monitoring of pollutants, and the evaluation of IAQ improvement and GHG reduction strategies. Additionally, community engagement, education, and training activities are included.