10/21/2023
Long overdue.
ONTARIO SCHOOL SAFETY SUPPORTS THE PRIVATE MEMBER'S CLEAN AIR BILL FOR IMPROVED INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN SCHOOLS
Ontario School Safety applauds the Private Member’s Bill for improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in schools and childcare settings. According to Kate Laing, Chair of Ontario School Safety, “Clean, breathable, healthy air is a human right — just like having clean drinking water. Improving indoor air quality in public buildings, especially in schools and on school buses, is common sense. We fully support any legislation that is backed by science, is supported by ventilation engineers like those at OSPE, and moves indoor air quality to the forefront — for our kids, our education workers, and our communities." We thank all members of the Legislative Assembly at Queen’s Park who advocate for cleaner air in schools, since everyone – regardless of political position – deserves to breathe the cleanest air possible.
Schools have been under-ventilated for far too long. We have known for years that air quality improvements were necessary, and we have learned during this pandemic that we cannot afford to wait any longer for them. Ensuring that the ventilation in school buildings complies with the same minimum standards set for federal government buildings would be a significant step in the right direction. Adequate ventilation, coupled with air filtration, would ensure a substantial improvement in the IAQ in Ontario schools.
Research shows that good IAQ in schools improves academic achievement and athletic performance. It reduces the burden on students with respiratory conditions that are worsened by harmful indoor pollutants such as viruses, dust and volatile organic chemicals. IAQ is an equity issue: not all schools have the same quality of HVAC systems and maintenance requirements, or the same access to HEPA filtration, or even windows that open.
Improved IAQ also helps our economy thrive. Better air quality means fewer absences due to illness among education workers and students, and reduced education staffing shortages and costs. These factors contribute to a more stable school year. Less illness also means fewer caregivers need to stay home from work to care for sick children, and fewer teens miss much-needed shifts at their part-time jobs. The health benefits of clean indoor air also reduce the burden on our province’s healthcare system.
Data must also be available to ALL stakeholders. Parents and caregivers are concerned about the health and safety of their children. They have not had access to data about air quality assessments and HVAC improvements in their children’s schools or daycares. We believe it is time to ensure all schools monitor IAQ to ensure it meets an adequate standard for health and safety, and make the data publicly available.
Addressing the need for improved ventilation in schools and daycare centres will position Ontario as a leader in Canada. IAQ improvements are affordable and effective. We have both the knowledge and the tools available NOW to make these changes. We look forward to seeing the Ontario government prioritise the health and safety of Ontario school, staff, students, and families.
Sincerely,
[Ontario School Safety]
For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
[email protected]
Full press release here:
https://www.ontarioschoolsafety.com/updates/press-release%3A-ontario-school-safety-supports-the-private-member%E2%80%99s-clean-air-bill-for-improved-indoor-air-quality-in-schools
cc Ontario Society of Professional Engineers Chandra Pasma Bhutila Karpoche Teresa Armstrong Peter Tabuns Ontario NDP Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC) Fix Our Schools
