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Common Symptoms
Managing School IAQ
Building occupants often associate health symptoms with poor indoor air quality (IA), especially since most Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors. However, determining if health symptoms relate to IAQ problems can be difficult. Acute (short-term) symptoms of IAQ problems typically are similar to cold, allergy, and flu symptoms. The following symptoms may be an indication of underlying IAQ problems:
- Headache
- Fatigue, drowsiness, or lethargy
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Eye, nose, and throat problems (swelling, itching, or irritation)
- Cough
- Sinus congestion
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Chills
- Sneezing
- Skin irritation
- Diagnosed infection or clusters of serious health problems
Other common symptoms of IAQ problems may not be reported as health symptoms, but as occupant complaints. Occupant complaints that sometimes indicate underlying IAQ problems include:
- Odors such as tobacco smoke, mold or mildew, chemical smells, etc.
- Comfort issues such as temperature, humidity, and ventilation problems
Due to varying sensitivities among school occupants, IAQ problems may affect a group of people or just one individual. In addition, IAQ problems may affect people in different ways.
How to Determine if You Have an IAQ Problem?
Though symptoms are not easy to link directly to IAQ issues, some of the following clues may suggest that IAQ problems are a possible source of health symptoms:
- Symptoms are widespread within a classroom or area of the school
- Symptoms disappear when students and staff leave the school building
- Onset of symptoms is sudden after some change at school, such as a building renovation, pesticide application, painting, changes in cleaning practices, etc.
- People with allergies, asthma, or chemical sensitivities have reactions indoors but not outdoors
Not all occupant complaints about IAQ are actually caused by poor indoor air. Other factors such as noise, lighting, and job-, family-, or peer-related stress can -- individually and in combination -- contribute to a perception that IAQ is poor.