How often do you think about the air quality inside your childcare facility? In the busy, fast-paced childcare environment, it is easy to take clean air for granted but indoor air pollutants can be harmful to staff and children.

Physical Symptoms ofIndoor Air Pollution

Indoor air pollution has been linked to ailments such as headaches, fatigue, dizziness, skin irritation, and nausea. Respiratory problems associated with poor air quality include sinus congestion, coughing, sneezing, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Indoor air pollution also can have long-lasting effects such as asthma, lung disease, cancer, and damage to the neurological system.
Some signs that indoor air pollution may be causing health problems include symptoms that affect multiple people, disappear after leaving the building, begin after a change to the environment (such as a new coat of paint or new flooring), and occur only indoors.

Risk for Young Children

Children are at risk for effects of poor air quality for several reasons. They are still growing and developing so their body systems are more vulnerable to pollutants.

Also, for their size, children breathe in more air than adults, so if the air quality is poor, they will inhale a greater proportion of pollutants. In addition, many children have allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues and air pollutants aggravate those conditions.

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

There are many potential sources of indoor air pollution. Improperly ventilated heaters, furnaces, and stoves can release carbon monoxide. New furniture, office equipment, and flooring materials may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde.

Old buildings may contain asbestos. Improperly maintained heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and water-damaged furnishings may have mold growth. Art supplies and cleaning solutions can produce toxic emissions, and pesticides can let off toxic vapors.

Dangerous radon gases from surrounding soil, rock, and water can enter indoor air. Secondhand smoke contains cancer-causing carcinogens that are released into the air. Animal dander, dust mites, rodents, and cockroaches also can contribute to poor air quality. Even emissions from garbage can have an effect.

Few childcare centers will be impacted by all of these problems, so it is important to determine what the primary sources of air pollution might be in your facility. You and your staff will be most familiar with the potential sources of indoor air pollution in your early care and education program.

If children or adults in your program seem to have health issues that could be related to pollutants, take an informal inventory of what might cause air pollution in your center. You also can contact your local public health department or American Lung Association chapter for more information on how to assess indoor air quality.

Regardless of the specific indoor air quality issues in your center, the following steps will help you eliminate problems and avoid potential air pollution.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

To quickly and effectively improve indoor air quality, eliminate the source of pollution. Often the pollution source can be removed relatively simply and inexpensively, such as replacing a filter in the HVAC system or using floor mats at entrances to control dust and dirt.

Some air pollution problems may be more involved and costly, such as those that require renovations and repairs. Regardless of the situation, identifying the source of the pollution and then eliminating it is an important first step in making the air cleaner in your facility.

Regular Cleaning

Regularly scheduled, thorough cleaning practices are important to maintaining safe indoor air quality. Dust is composed of a variety of indoor air contaminants, including human skin scales, animal dander, tobacco smoke, mold, mildew, powder from cosmetics and cleaning supplies, broken-down plant and animal matter, bacteria, and disintegrated stuffing materials from home furnishings.

Carpet and floor mats should be vacuumed and other floor surfaces should be damp mopped every day to control dust. Use a high-quality vacuum cleaner and change the bag often. To the extent possible, avoid clutter and use a damp cloth to keep dust from scattering.

Sheets, blankets, and other bedding should be changed daily and washed at a temperature of at least 130° F. Washing bedclothes at lower temperatures will not kill dust mites. Garbage cans should be tightly sealed, lined with plastic, and emptied frequently.

Garbage cans should be placed in areas with good ventilation, away from HVAC systems. When looking at dumpster locations, choose a site that is far from the building’s air intake equipment, doors, and windows, and where wind will carry odors away from the building.

When using cleaning products, always read labels, follow instructions, use unscented products when possible, and keep products in their original containers. Products that are labeled “caution” or “warning” are considered less harmful than those labeled “poison” or “danger.” All products, regardless of the label, should be used carefully and responsibly and kept away from children.

Avoid aerosol spray products and opt for products that produce fewer fumes, like baking soda or vinegar. Air fresheners mask odors but do not improve air quality and in some cases, they can contribute to air pollution.

Ventilation, Humidity and Temperature

One of the simplest ways to improve indoor air quality is to increase ventilation, especially for areas that need extra air exchange, like diapering stations and arts and crafts centers. Circulation helps keep odors, airborne germs, and toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, from building in the air.

Today’s construction techniques have made some newer buildings almost airtight, so inadequate ventilation can lead to problems. Increasing ventilation can be easy.

Opening windows and doors (making sure they are properly secured for children’s safety), using ceiling and window fans, and running window air conditioners with the vent control open are all ways to increase air circulation. HVAC equipment should be continuously maintained and regularly inspected by an HVAC professional.

Filters should be replaced regularly and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Install new carpet or furniture when children are not in the building, and ventilate the area for two to three days before reintroducing the children.

Marna Holland, Ed.D.
Parent educator, Asheville City Schools Preschool in Asheville, North Carolina

Internet Resources

California Childcare Health Program, www.ucsfchildcarehealth.org/pdfs/healthandsafety/indoorairqualen081105.pdf

Family Child Care Connections, fcs.tamu.edu/families/child_care/newsletters_family/fcc_htm/famnews4.htm

Ohio State University, ohioline.osu.edu/cd-fact/0191.html

RESOURCES

American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, 6th Fl., New York, NY 10006; 800-LUNGUSA; www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35381

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460; www.epa.gov/iaq/is-imprv.html