IAQ Tools For Schools Teacher Checklist (summarized)

General Cleanliness-- The following questions relate to general cleaniness of your classroom

Make sure that the classroom is cleaned properly. For example...

• Make sure classroom is dusted and vacuumed thoroughly and regularly
• Make sure trash is removed daily
• Make sure food is not kept in classroom overnight
• Store animal food, if any, in tightly sealed containers
• Look for signs of pests
• Avoid the use of scented cleaners

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Clean spills promptly. For example...

• For spills on carpets, contact custodial staff immediately (carpets need to be cleaned properly, and dried within 24 hours)
• Request that unit ventilator be cleaned and filter replaced if spilled liquid goes into the unit
• Report previous spills on carpets in unit ventilators becuase they can affect current indoor air quality

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Animals in the Classroom-- The following questions relate to having animals in a classroom environment

Minimize exposure to animal allergens. For example...

• Keep animals in cages as much as possible; do not let them roam
• Clean cages regularly
• Locate animals away from ventilation system vents to avoid circulating allergens throughout the room or building
• Use alternatives to animals if possible

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Take special care with asthmatic or other sensitive students. For example...

• Consult the school health officer or nurse about student allergies or sensitivities (privacy laws may limit the information that health officials can disclose)
• Ask parents about potential allergies in a note that students take home, or during parent teacher conferences
• Remember to check for allergies when students enter the class
• Locate sensitive students away from animals and habitats

Please select which choice(s) best reflects your needs in this area. Please note: for this question, you may choose more than one answer.

Drain Traps in Classrooms-- The following questions relate to classrooms that have drain traps present

Fill drain traps regularly. For example...

• Poor water down floor drains once per week (approx. 1 quart of water)
• Run water in sinks at least once per week (approx. 2 cups of water)
• If not regularly used, flush toilets once each week

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Excess Moisture in Classrooms-- The following questions relate to moisture levels in classroom

Note contensate (condensed water, or "fog") on cold surfaces, such as...

• Windows, window sills, and window frames
• Cold water pipes
• Indoor surfaces of exterior walls

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Check for leaks or signs or moisture from plumbing or roofs.

• Around and under classroom sinks
• In classroom lavatories
• On ceiling tiles or walls (discoloration may indicate periodic leaks)

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Thermal Comfort-- The following questions relate to room temperature and comfort

Check comfort factors. For example...

• Temperature (generally 72-76 degrees Farenheit)
• Draftiness
• Direct sunlight shining on students
• Humididty is too high (typically if higher than 60% relative humidity, RH) or too low (typically if lower than 30% relative humidity)

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Ventilation-- The following questions relate to the ventilation in your classroom. Ventilation can be either mechanical (supplied by fans) or natural (through use of windows)

Determine how your classroom is ventilated. For example...

• Locate unit ventilator (if any)
• Locate air supply and air return vents (if any)
• Determine whether your windows are operable (if no mechanical ventilation system)

Please select which choice(s) best reflects your needs in this area. Please note: for this question, you may choose more than one answer.

If you have mechanical ventilation, confirm that air if flowing into the room from the air supply vent(s). For example...

• Check for airflow by holding a strip of lightweight plastic or piece of tissue paper near the air supply vent(s); if air is flowing, the plastic or tissue will flutter away from the supply vent
• Make sure that the airflow is not diverted or obstructed by books, papers, furniture, curtains, or other obstacles. Never place anything on top of unit ventilators.

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

If you have mechanical ventilation, confirm that air is flowing from the room into the air return grille(s). For example...

• Check for airflow at air return grille(s) in teh same manner as with previous activity. If air is flowing, the plastic or tissue will be pulled toward the return. Alternatively, a piece of plastic that nearly covers the grille will stick to the face of the grille if air is flowing.
• Make sure that the airflow is not obstructed by books, papers, furniture, curtains, or other obstacles

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Check for unexplained odors. For example...

• Vehicle exhaust
• Kitchen/food
• "Chemical" smell
• Mold or mildew

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Note: Conduct the following activities as appropriate to your classroom. For those that don't apply, please answer N/A.

Local Exhaust Fans and Fume Hoods-- The following questions relate to operation and use of exhaust fans and fume hoods in the classroom

Determine if your classroom activities generate air pollutants and whether your classroom is equipped with local exhaust fans and/or fume hoods.

If there are no activities that generate air pollutants, you do not need a local exhaust fan or fume hood.

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Confirm that fume hoods and local exhaust fans function properly. For example...

• Check for air flow when fans are on (hold a piece of tissue paper near the fan -- or within the space of the fume hood -- to see whether it is pulled away from the room)
• Fume hoods are not cracked, broken, or pulling away from the ceiling or wall
• Fan is not operated due to noise
• No odors in adjacent rooms or halls

Please select which choice(s) best reflects your needs in this area. Please note: you may choose more than one answer for this question

Confirm that fume hoods and fans are used whenever activities that generate pollutants take place. For example...

• Train students and others who use the classroom or equipment on when and how to use the fume hoods and fans
• Conduct pollutant generating activities under the fume hood with exhaust fans turned on
• Monitor use throughout the year

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Art Supplies-- The following questions relate to classrooms that use art supplies such as...

• Solvents
• Inks
• Adhesives and glues
• Wax
• Varnishes and lacquers
• Powdered pigments
• Acids
• Clays
• Paints
• Firing kilns

Learn about your supplies. For example...

• Check to see whether your supplies are listed as toxic or nontoxic by the Art and Craft Materials Institute or the Center for Safety in the Arts. Supplies that are nontoxic will be labeled AP Nontoxic, CP Nontoxic, or Health Lable (without warning conditions) by the Art and Craft Materials Institute
• Read labels and identify precautions regarding fumes or ventilation

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

If you make purchase decisions, or recommend products for purchase, confirm that supplies are safe to use. For example, choose art supplies approved as safe by the Art and Craft Materials Institute or the Center for Safety in the Arts. Lists of safer products are available from both organizations (Art and Craft Materials Institute, 5 Beekman St., New York, NY 10038; Center for Safety in the Arts, 100 Boylston St., Suite 1050, Boston, MA 02116)

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Follow good safety, handling, and storage practices. For example...

• Have appropriate procedures and supplies available for spill control
• Label all hazarous supplies with the date of receipt/preparation and pertinent precautionary information
• Tightly seal containers
• Follow recommended procedures for disposal of used substances
• Secure compressed gas cylinders
• Supply storage areas should be separate from classroom and ventilated

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Minimize exposure to hazardous materials. For example...

• Substitute less- or nonhazardous materials where possible
• Use local exhaust fans
• Isolate containment producing activities or operations
• Use moist-premixed rather than powdered products
• Use techniques that require the least amount of materials

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Science Supplies-- The following questions relate to classrooms that use science laboratory supplies such as...

• Solvents
• Acids
• Flammables
• Caustics
• Biologics
• Compressed gases

Learn about your supplies. For example...

• Read labels and identify precautions regarding fumes ventilation
• Request information and Material Safety Data Sheets from suppliers and manufacturers

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Follow good safety, handling, and storage practices For example...

• Obtain guidance documents, such as School Science Laboratories: A Guide To Some Hazardous Substances from the Council of State Science Supervisors and U.S. CPSC or the Manual of Safety & Health Hazards In The School Science Laboratory from the NIOSH/U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• Have appropriate procedures developed and supplies available for spill control (i.e., absorbant materials to control the spread of spills)
• Label all chemicals accurately with date of receipt/preparation and pertinent precautionary information
• Store supplies according to manufacturers' recommendations
• Follow recommended procedures for disposal of used substances
• Secure compressed gas cylinders
• Storage areas should be separate from main classroom area and ventilated separately

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Minimize exposure to hazardous materials. For example...

• Use diluted substances rather than concentrates wherever possible
• Use techniques that require the least quantity of hazardous materials
• Ensure that fume hoods capture respirable particles, gases, and vapors released within them
• Confirm that exhaut fans operate

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Industrial/Vocational Education Supplies-- The following questions relate to classrooms that use industrial and vocational education materials such as...

• Machining
• Solvents
• Grinding
• Fuels
• Painting
• Soldering
• Welding
• Baking/heating
• Adhesives

Learn about your supplies. For example...

• Read labels and identify precautions regarding fumes or ventilation
• Request information and Material Safety Data Sheets from suppliers and manufacturers

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Follow good safety, handling, and storage practices. For example...

• Develop appropriate procedures and have supplies available for spill control (e.g. absorbant materials to control the spread of spills)
• Store supplies according to manufacturers' recommendations
• Follow recommended procedures for disposal of used substances
• Secure compressed gas cylinders
• Sotrage areas should be separate from classroom and ventilated

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Minimize exposure to hazardous materials. For example...

• Use instructional techniques that require the least quantity of materials
• Ensure that fume hoods capture all respirable particles, gases, and vapors released within them
• Confirm that exhaust fans operate

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Locker Room-- The following questions relate to locker room use

Verify that showers and other locker room areas are cleaned regularly and properly. For example...

• Use chemical cleaners and disinfectants when areas are unoccupied
• Run exhaust fans to remove moisture and odors

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

Maintain cleanliness and reduce excess moisture in the locker room. For example...

• Remove wet towels regularly
• Wash and dry soiled practice uniforms regularly
• Encourage students to take soiled clothes home regularly
• Operate exhaust fans to remove moisture

Please select which choice best reflects your needs in this area.

No problems to report-- I have completed all activities on this Checklist, and I do not need help in any areas.