Management

Involvement in product selection for use in our schools is of critical importance. Environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) is an effective management tool defined by the Executive Order 13101 [PDF] as "products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose...". Some common examples of EPP include purchasing paper products and cleansers that do not contain chlorine, and non-toxic all purpose cleaners and art supplies. Nurses should advocate for the development of EPP standards to be included in school purchasing policies.

Indoor Air Quality Management Plan The Environmental Protection Agency has developed a guidance tool that is designed to allow you to prevent and solve the majority of indoor air problems. It is called Indoor Air Quality: Tools for Schools. This IAQ Management Plan involves implementing the following steps on a periodic basis, at least once each year. The IAQ coordinator and team can perform the steps as presented, or the steps can be tailored to the specific needs of your school. The steps are grouped into three categories: Assess Current Status, Perform Repairs and Upgrades, and Final Steps. A thorough description of this tool can be found online. Initiate a checklist log Activate the IAQ team (Can be the same as the health and safety committee.) Receive and summarize the IAQ checklists Perform a walkthrough inspection Assess radon status Assess pest control program Assess lead status Identify recent changes that affect IAQ Set repair and upgrade priorities Gain consensus and approvals Distribute status report Perform repairs and upgrades