Free To Breathe, Free To Teach: Indoor Air Quality In Schools And Respiratory Health Of Teachers

Excessive dampness in schools may affect respiratory health by increasing exposure to sources of allergens such as mold, dust mites, roaches and rodents. The 'Free to Breathe, Free to Teach' research project will investigate how classroom average relative humidity affects the incidence of asthma exacerbations and allergies among public school teachers in North Carolina. To provide relevant prevention strategies to minimize dampness, it also will be important to examine associations between humidity control and indoor air quality factors such as building age, previous water damage, type of ventilation system and maintenance practices.