Missouri researchers and school officials say their School Air IQ program is designed to use federal air-quality standards to improve school air.

Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo., and the Center School District are implementing its School Air IQ program designed to take air-quality standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency into schools to improve the health of students and staff.

“Our main goal with the School Air IQ Program is to keep all building occupants healthy with improved air quality management,” says Dr. Jay Portnoy, chief of the Children’s Mercy section of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology.

The school districts are provided with education and training on air-quality management in schools and an air-quality resource manual. After the program has been implemented, school air-quality assessments are made.

“The Center School District is committed to helping our students lead healthy lives and we greatly appreciate the efforts of Children’s Mercy in helping our schools manage asthma and indoor air quality,” said Betty McKinzie, director of student services for Center School District.