September is here, which means kids are back in school—did your school get its air ducts cleaned over summer break? If not, a dirty HVAC system can have negative effects on students’ ability to learn. The presence of mold is also a factor in poor air quality. If the building sustained water damages from summer storms and those areas weren’t cleaned up properly, mold is probably growing. Here are some of the side effects that come with poor indoor air quality:
Physical irritation—Coughing, sneezing, wheezing, headaches, and sore throats are all signs of poor air quality. These symptoms are especially present in kids with asthma or dust and mold allergies and can make their condition worse.
Absences—When students and teachers aren’t feeling well, absences are more frequent. Students may have trouble catching up on work when they return, and the health of teachers is important for the entire class.
Lack of concentration—Even if students and teachers aren’t feeling physical symptoms, they can still have difficulty focusing on their work. Mold and pollutants in the ducts or elsewhere affect concentration, making learning inefficient.
Poor indoor air quality doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t keep your school clean—particles from renovations over the summer and pollutants brought in by students and staff can enter the ductwork and cause air quality issues.
To prevent poor air quality and inefficient learning, schedule a mold test and HVAC system cleaning. The experts will be able to remedy the problem and also have the essential equipment to do so.
It’s also best to create an indoor air quality management plan—we recommend getting your HVAC system cleaned and testing the building for mold during summer break when the school is empty.
Good indoor air quality increases attendance and performance for both students and teachers, so schedule an air duct cleaning or mold test/remediation with the experts at Enviro-Air to ensure a great school year.