University of Utah helping schools achieve better indoor air quality

SALT LAKE CITY — A team from the University of Utah will be working with low-income schools on how to reduce indoor air pollution and improve air quality.

The university has been awarded $6.5 million in grant money from the Environmental Protection Agency. The money will go toward developing plans for schools to help them better manage their indoor air quality.

Nancy Daher, an associate professor from the Division of Occupational and Environmental Health at the U, said not only will its plans help schools save money and energy but will also improve student health.

“Students spend so much of their time at school, and air pollution levels inside schools can be two to five times greater than other levels,” she said.

Daher said the university’s goal is to help schools develop plans to achieve better indoor air quality and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

“Eventually [this] should lead to better air quality and improved health outcomes while saving costs and energy,” she said.

Daher said they’ll start working with about 30 schools this fall over the next five years.

Heather Peterson is a reporter and producer for KSL NewsRadio. She also produces Utah’s Noon News.

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