Saud Anwar

Public Health Committee Raises School Indoor Air Quality Standards Legislation Introduced by Sen. Anwar

Today, the Public Health Committee raised a bill concept introduced by State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) aiming to introduce indoor air quality regulations and standards in Connecticut. With the importance of ventilation and air quality receiving new focus in schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reflecting on the potential health risks of poor air quality for both development of and severity of respiratory conditions, establishing such standards would provide significant health guidance statewide.

“We have indoor air quality standards for businesses like pet stores to ensure animals there remain healthy. That makes it all the more jarring to lack such regulations in our schools,” said Sen. Anwar. “The Department of Public Health rightly recognizes that poor indoor environmental quality in schools is a major public health issue statewide and nationwide. I’m confident that better standards for health in our schools will go a long way toward preserving the health of our youth, as well as the health of the teachers and staff who aid and guide their development every day.”

“The pandemic showed us we simply can’t delay in remediating HVAC systems in our schools,” said State Representative Jonathan Steinberg (D-Westport), House Chair of the Public Health Committee. “Some retrofits, like adding controls or adding small circulation/filtration units, don’t have to be expensive. And we need better protocols for effective maintenance.”