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Houston Educator Receives Honor from EPA

Release Date: 10/30/2003
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

      On Monday, Oct. 27, Gregory L. Lookabaugh of the Education Service Center in Houston, Texas, received an Indoor Air Quality Special Achievement Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in recognition of his outstanding commitment to a healthy school environment.

      Mr. Lookabaugh is a mentor for the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program in Texas and an officer with the Texas Association of School Business Officials.  As director of facility services for the Education Service Center, he provides expert technical support and facilitates training to school districts all over Texas.

      "EPA is proud to recognize Mr. Lookabaugh for his efforts in implementing outstanding and effective indoor air quality programs," EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said.  "He made the health of students and staff a priority. His programs can serve as a model for other schools to address indoor air quality and provide a healthy learning environment."

      Lookabaugh said, "As the collaborative efforts of Region IV Education Service Center's Facility Services Department and EPA increase, so does our commitment to safer and healthier learning environments.  Placing students first is one of the driving forces behind these agencies."

      In 1995, EPA developed the voluntary Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS) kit and program in response to government studies highlighting the deteriorating conditions of the nation's schools and the alarming rise in asthma cases, particularly among school and preschool age children. The IAQ TfS kit is a flexible, comprehensive resource designed to help school staff identify, resolve, and prevent indoor air quality problems.  It is available to schools at no cost.

      Asthma alone accounts for 14 million missed school days each year. Today, one out of every 13 school-age children has asthma. Currently, an estimated 10,000 schools and school districts across the country are using the IAQ TfS program.

      For more information about the EPA's IAQ TfS program, visit www.epa.gov/iaq/schools.