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During a critical period of their growth and development children spend a large part of their day at school. Poor indoor air quality can cause:

• Illness requiring absence from school.
• Acute health symptoms that decrease performance while at school.
• A reduction in a person's ability to perform specific mental tasks requiring concentration, calculation and memory.

School children are particularly susceptible to indoor air quality issues. As well the school environment influences exposure through the dense population and the many different activities that happen at school.

Hazards and factors that influence indoor air quality can be grouped as:

• Type of Hazard

• Physical such as temperature and humidity, moisture and ventilation.
• Biological pollutants such as mould and fungi, bacteria and viruses, pollen and insect and animal allergens.
• Chemical predominantly as volatile organic compounds.

• Source of Hazard

• Air in the form of pollutants, emissions, dust, allergens and asbestos.
• Microbial particularly bacteria, moulds and fungi through the impact of high humidity.
• Industrial sources such as paints, adhesives, plastics and pesticides.
• Building design through ventilation and choice of flooring surfaces.
• Maintenance and housekeeping.
• Furnishings, finishings and fittings.

• Location within school as science laboratories, art classrooms and physical education facilities have hazards above those presented by general classrooms and offices.

• Children's health status from the perspective of asthma and allergies.

Given the many factors that contribute to indoor air quality implementing corrective measures within the capacity of all schools can be overwhelming and difficult to attain. To cope a risk management strategy is recommended of:

• Identify the potential hazards.
• Determine the level of risk for each hazard.
• Develop a priority ranking of the risks.
• Implement controls and corrective actions.

The Australian Standard AS/NZS 4360 offers a uniform approach to management of indoor quality risks.

CETEC recently produced an Indoor Air Quality in Schools document for Environment Australia that incorporates a risk management approach.