Schools slow to use federal COVID funding to improve indoor air quality

Despite billions of dollars in federal covid-relief money available to upgrade heating and air-conditioning systems and improve air quality and filtration in K-12 schools, U.S. public schools have been slow to begin projects that have the potentional to improve the overall health of students (Source: “Covid Funding Pries Open a Door to Improving Air Quality in Schools,” Kaiser Health News, June 13).

According to a report released this month from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than 40% of public schools had replaced or upgraded their HVAC systems since the start of the pandemic. Even fewer were using high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters in classrooms (28%), or fans to increase the effectiveness of having windows open (37%).

Both the CDC and White House have stressed indoor ventilation as a potent weapon in the battle to contain covid. And a wealth of data shows that improving ventilation in schools has benefits well beyond covid.

Good indoor air quality is associated with improvements in math and reading; greater ability to focus; fewer symptoms of asthma and respiratory disease; and less absenteeism. Nearly 1 in 13 U.S. children have asthma, which leads to more missed school days than any other chronic illness.