Healthier indoor air at schools increases opportunities for learning

Washington, D.C., July 25, 2024 – The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) supports the bipartisan Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act introduced today by Rep. Paul Tonko of New York and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.

“Asthma is a leading cause of missed school days – nearly 14 million a year,” said AAFA President and CEO Kenneth Mendez. “Improving indoor air quality in schools and childcare facilities creates a healthier environment that is less likely to trigger asthma symptoms. Passage of this legislation will help keep kids healthier and improve learning opportunities by reducing absenteeism from asthma attacks. We thank Representatives Tonko and Fitzpatrick for their leadership and urge Congress to pass this legislation.”

The Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act codifies and enhances the responsibilities of EPA’s Indoor Environments Division and calls on the agency to develop indoor air quality guidelines. Other provisions of the bill include requirements for EPA to assess indoor air quality in schools and childcare facilities and to offer guidance and technical assistance to help improve indoor air quality.  

More than 4.5 million children in the United States have asthma and two out of five children with asthma experience at least one asthma attack a year.

“Healthier indoor air at school means a healthier learning environment for students,” added Mendez. “This bill creates a framework for understanding the current air quality situation in schools and for improving it going forward.”