The Global Open Air Quality Standards (GO AQS) initiative today announced its strong support for Rhode Island House Bill 5597, pertaining to Indoor Air Quality in Schools. GO AQS has signed onto a joint written testimony submitted to the Rhode Island House Committee on Education in advance of the bill’s hearing this afternoon.

The written testimony emphasizes the critical need for this legislation, stating: “We are writing as a group of organizations and urge you to support and advance House Bill 5597 by Representative Cotter, a critical step toward ensuring that Rhode Island’s schools provide healthy, safe, and equitable learning environments for all students and educators. Clean indoor air is fundamental to student health, academic performance, and attendance, yet too many Rhode Island schools continue to struggle with inadequate ventilation and poor indoor air quality.“

The testimony further highlights the well-established scientific evidence linking poor indoor air quality to increased absenteeism, worsened respiratory conditions like asthma, and decreased educational performance. It notes that proper ventilation can significantly reduce the transmission of airborne illnesses and improve student outcomes.

GO AQS recognizes the significant progress Rhode Island has made in upgrading school infrastructure but underscores the persistent challenges of aging buildings and inadequate HVAC systems in many schools. The testimony points out that most Rhode Island schools currently achieve far fewer air changes per hour than recommended.

By supporting H5597, GO AQS aligns with a growing national movement to prioritize clean indoor air in educational settings. The bill proposes establishing state guidelines for indoor air quality, setting higher filtration standards, and implementing regular inspections. The testimony cites successful examples from other states like Connecticut, California, and Delaware that have already taken proactive steps in this area.

GO AQS believes that the passage of House Bill 5597 will be a crucial step towards ensuring healthier learning environments for all students and educators in Rhode Island. This initiative aligns with GO AQS’s global mission to advocate for and advance robust air quality standards to protect public health.

Copy of the Joint Testimony – IAQ in RI Schools 2025