Happy school kids having fun while running through the hallway. Focus is on happy girl.


The United States faces an increasing number of wildfires, leading to air quality concerns outdoors and indoors. According to air quality index (AQI) readings in July, cities with the worst air quality are found in the South and Midwest regions. Topping the list currently is Boise, Idaho, with an AQI rating of 161—a signifier of unhealthy outdoor air. However, cities in the Midwest, like Milwaukee, reached record-breaking hazardous levels in the same month.

As wildfire seasons lengthen, the American Lung Association (ALA) is focusing on improving the indoor air quality (IAQ) of educational facilities. Though IAQ is a top environmental risk to public health, over half of K-12 schools do not have IAQ management plans that proactively address air quality risks. To help create healthier learning environments for students and staff, the ALA launched the Clean Air School Challenge.

The program supports public, charter, and tribal school buildings in developing, implementing, and sustaining IAQ management plans nationwide. For teachers and staff, poor IAQ is associated with reduced productivity and missed workdays, while students with asthma, disabilities, or underlying health conditions—and those in communities that are underserved or under-resourced—face disproportionately higher health risks. With recent research addressing the adverse impacts of wildfire smoke on indoor environments, IAQ monitoring is becoming a needed foundation for improved public health.

Moreover, students and staff spend most of their time indoors. As some pollutant levels can be two to five times—and in some cases more than 100 times—higher than outdoor levels, poor IAQ can contribute to increased absenteeism and missed instructional time, resulting in decreased academic achievement. Exposure to indoor air pollutants like carbon dioxide, particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mold, and viruses can be further exacerbated by a range of factors, including poor air exchange, cleaning products, and structural problems.

Commercial cleaning executives can start with IAQ solutions—smart sensors, ventilation systems, and emergency response plans. These elements should be reviewed and revised as needed, with frontline staff receiving recurring training to enhance compliance. Access to communication, such as educator and cleaning crew feedback, can also support a district IAQ management plan.