Environmental Health Health Hazards in Public Schools

Loretta S. Shaw, Ph.D. student

Walden University

PUBH-8165-3

Instructor: Dr. Jeff Wu

Summer Term, 2009

This program is designed to increase the participant’s knowledge regarding in-door environmental hazards found within the public school systems

- Understand the importance of in-door air qualities

- Introduce chemicals used frequently in schools

- Discuss day to day exposure of hazardous materials

- Explain what causes illness

- Examine school safety options regarding air quality

•Council Bluffs Public School District

•Lewis Central Community School District

•St. Albert’s Catholic Schools

-School Administrators

-School Board Members

-Principals

-Facility Managers

-Teachers

-Custodians

-School Nurses

-Parents

-Community Members

*

To become a voice for the health and wellbeing of our students, faculty, staff and community so that a positive learning environment is achieved.

More than 53 million children and 6 million adults

utilize schools each day

In the United States there are more than 120,000

public and private schools

Most people spend 87-90% of their time inside

According to the EPA indoor air pollution is ranked among the top 5 environmental risks to public health

Source: Environmental Protection Agency, 2009

USA Today published statistics on 128,000 schools across the United States.

This publication measured the amount of outdoor air pollution that was found within our school buildings.

An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tool was used to collect the data.

Source: USA Today, (2009) The Smoke Stack Effect

School District: Council Bluffs Community Schools

National Rank: 31st percentile

39,528 of 127,809 schools have worse air.

Note: Rankings are based on modeled concentrations and severity of chemicals known or believed to cause cancer or other health related problems

Source: USA Today (2009) The Smoke Stack Effect

Manganese and manganese compounds 52% of overall toxicity

Sulfuric acid 11% of overall toxicity

Toluene diisocyanate (mixed isomers) 9% of overall toxicity

Hydrochloric acid 7% of overall toxicity

Lead and lead compounds 4% of overall toxicity

Source: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (2009)

Griffin Pipe Products Co.

Council Bluffs, Iowa M

idAmerican Energy Co Council Bluffs Energy Center

Council Bluffs, Iowa F

uture Foam Inc

Council Bluffs, Iowa O

maha Public Power District North Omaha Station

Omaha, Nebraska F

res-Co System USA Inc. Red Oak

Red Oak, Iowa

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, University of Massachusetts at Amherst Political Economy Research Institute and USA Today (2009) Smoke Stack Effect Report

http://content.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/smokestack/polluter/29723










































































































































































School District: Council Bluffs Community Schools


326 of 127,809 schools have worse air.

Note: Rankings are based on modeled concentrations and severity of chemicals known or believed to cause cancer or other health related problems






Xylene (mixed isomers) 0% of overall toxicity

Source: Environmental Protection Agency (2009)



uture Foam Inc





Omaha, Nebraska P

axton & Vierling Steel Co

Carter Lake, Iowa





































































































































































School District: Lewis Central Community

National Rank: 12th percentile

14,385 of 127,809 schools have worse air

Note: Rankings are based on modeled concentrations and severity of chemicals known or believed to cause cancer or other health hazards

Source: USA Today (2009) The Smoke Stack Effect Report










, Council Bluffs, Iowa F

uture Foam Inc

, Council Bluffs, Iowa O


, Omaha, Nebraska B

unge North America Inc

, Council Bluffs, Iowa


































































































































































School District: Council Bluffs Community



Note: Rankings are based on modeled concentrations and severity of chemicals known or believed to cause cancer or other illnesses












uture Foam Inc



Omaha, Nebraska F


Red Oak, Iowa

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, University of Massachusetts at Amherst Political Economy Research Institute and USA Today (2009) The Smoke Stack Effect Report









































































































































































School District: Lewis Central Community

National Rank: 18th percentile:














uture Foam Inc



Omaha, Nebraska F


Red Oak, Iowa

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, University of Massachusetts at Amherst Political Economy Research Institute an USA Today (2009) the Smoke Stack Effect Report










































































































































































National Rank: 2nd percentile






Hexane, n- 9% of overall toxicity




Future Foam Inc

Council Bluffs, Iowa B

unge North America Inc

Council Bluffs, Iowa G

riffin Pipe Products Co.





Omaha, Nebraska




































































































































































326 of 127,809 schools have worse air.







Xylene (mixed isomers) 0% of overall toxicity




uture Foam Inc Council Bluffs, Iowa M

idAmerican Energy Co Council Bluffs Energy Center Council Bluffs, Iowa O

maha Public Power District North Omaha Station Omaha, Nebraska P

axton & Vierling Steel Co Carter Lake, Iowa




























National Rank: 2nd percentile









Griffin Pipe Products Co. Council Bluffs, Iowa

Future Foam Inc Council Bluffs, Iowa

Paxton & Vierling Steel Co Carter Lake, Iowa

MidAmerican Energy Co Council Bluffs Energy Center Council Bluffs, Iowa

Omaha Public Power District North Omaha Station Omaha, Nebraska













Griffin Pipe Products Co. Council Bluffs, Iowa

MidAmerican Energy Co Council Bluffs Energy Center Council Bluffs, Iowa

Future Foam Inc Council Bluffs, Iowa

Omaha Public Power District North Omaha Station Omaha, Nebraska

Fres-Co System USA Inc. Red Oak Red Oak, Iowa


Safety

Cleanliness

Positive Attitudes and Behaviors

Exposure to Chemicals

Air and Water Quality

Source: Healthy Schools Campaign, 2009

- Indoor air pollutants may be 2-5 times higher than outdoor air pollution

Poor indoor air quality may be subtle

Source: American Lung Association, 2009

Most Affected Organ from Air Pollution

Source: Colome, McCunney, Samet & Swankin, 1994

- As important as maintaining the facilities

- Linked to test performance

- Better air quality leads to better attendance

- Physical comfort


- Bronchial Infections

- Exacerbation of Asthma

- Rhinitis

- Conjunctival Inflammation

- Dyspnea

- Cough

- Fever

- Malaise

- Chest Tightness

Source: American Lung Association, 2009

- Children may be more vulnerable to environmental exposure because of the following:

Rapid growth and development

More breaths per minute in proportion to their body size

Their behaviors can expose them to more chemicals and organisms.


1. Combustion by-products

2. Microorganisms and allergens

3. Formaldehyde and other organic compounds

4. Asbestos Fibers

5. Tobacco Smoke

6. Radon


Chemical Releases

Pesticide Exposure

Mold

Asbestos

Lead Based Paint

Volatile Organic Chemicals


Every person within the school district has a role

Clean Indoor Air Faculty Program

Informational Meeting for All Families

Educational Campaigns


Pollutant Source Removed

Increased Ventilation Rates

Air Cleaning

Education and Communication


Illnesses due to poor air quality

Caused by chemicals within the building

3 Factors: - Inadequate ventilation

- Poor system performance in the building

- Ventilation system is the problem

Source: American College of Medical Technology, 2009

Computerized Tool

Sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency


Better Learning Environment

Saves Energy

Comfortable


Higher Test Scores

Increased Daily School Attendance

Teacher Satisfaction

Reduction of Negative Environmental Impacts

Heat/Air Minimizes Pollutant Sources


Helps to maintain a healthy environment

Website to download these tools is:

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/index.html


-- Minute substances in the air

-- Unable to see with the naked eye 25-100 times thinner than a strand of hair

-- 2.5-10 micrometers: Smoke, dirt, dust, mold and pollen

-- < 2.5 micrometers: Toxic organic compounds and heavy metals

-Source: Flynn, Matz, Woolf & Wright, 2008

Lead:

Affects cognitive abilities Toxicity acute illness Lead levels > 10 g/dl

major health concern Indoors: Lead dust

Source: EPA, 2009

Mercury:

1990 latex paint contained elevated mercury levels

Phenyl mercuric Acetate: used to increase the shelf life of paint

No longer in use

Mold: Also known as fungi or mildew

-Requires moisture to grow

-Can grow on any surface

-Increases allergic and asthma reactions


-Occurs naturally with the breakdown of uranium

-Radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer

-Enters buildings through the ground underneath a

building

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that all schools be

tested for radon gas


-Mineral fiber added to buildings for strengthening

-Asbestos fibers can be present in the air and inhaled

-Asbestos fibers in the lung can causes illnesses such as

asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma


-- Known as VOCs

-- Emitted as gases at room temperature from solids and liquids

-- Concentrations of VOCs are 10 times greater indoors than outside

-- Found in many household items: hairsprays, paints, lacquers, pressed wood products, copiers, printers, markers, correction fluids, glues, adhesives and photography solutions


- Every person from the students to the superintendent can help improve indoor air quality

- Each person has a specific job and responsibility

Cleaning

Printing

Science Labs

Art Classes

Vocational Shop Courses

Auto Repair Classes


Green Clean Schools National Healthy Schools Campaign:

- Training of personnel for proper and safe use

- Procedures for storage, mixing and application

- 5 Step Process


1. All solutions used within the school meet green standards as provided by one of the following companies: CA VOC, Eco Logo, Green Seal or DFE

2. Green equipment should be used

3. Green cleaning procedures

4. Use paper and plastic products that are green

5. Education for “green schools” should be provided to all people using the school.

(Healthy Schools Campaign, 2009)

Personal Responsibility

Decrease Emissions

C

lean Air Filters

Maintain Heating and Air Systems

Reduce Clutter


Yearly budgeting should include maintenance and repair of heating and air units

Choose professional contractors that are aware of indoor air quality plans

Test all buildings fro radon and record radon levels

Share annual indoor air quality reports with school personnel, parents and interested community members


Develop and Indoor Air Quality Plan (IAQ)

Educate the School Board regarding IAQ’s

Indoor Air Quality Budget

Schedule Routine Maintenance Checks

Source: Minnesota Department of Health, 2009

Clean Filters

Outdoor Pollutants

Heating and Air Unit Maintenance

Movement of Air


Heating and air scheduled maintenance

Heating and air filter changed per guidelines

Outdoor Emissions


DO NOT BLOCK AIR DUCTS

Watch that refrigerators and computers are not put next to thermostats

Promote ventilation by arranging furniture a couple of inches from the wall

Minimize the amount of chemicals brought into the building


Staff and students need to be active participants in

keeping the rooms free from clutter and waste.

- Eating and drinking should be limited in classrooms

- Report all spills and leaks immediately to the

custodial staff

- All “approved” chemicals should be stored in their

original containers

- Each room should be dusted and vacuumed daily


Each school district should have a policy regarding “approved chemicals”

Strict adherence to the chemical list is expected

Minimize the amounts of chemicals brought into the classroom

Minnesota Department of Health, 2009)

Report IAQ concerns

Volunteer

Support Tax Levis


Indoor Air Quality Policy

Building surveys

Indoor Air Quality Committee


Each person who uses the school buildings have a responsibility to help improve the quality of the air within the schools. These responsibilities include:

- Do not bring chemicals into the buildings unless approved by the designated air quality specialist

- Make sure your shoes are free of debris by wiping them off on the floor mats before entering the buildings

- Adhere to know smoking within any public building

- Report any foreign odors, leaks or spills to the custodial staff

Source: Healthy Schools Campaign, 2009)

American Lung Association. (2009). Indoor air quality. Retrieved July 6, 2009 from

http://www.lungusa.org

Colome, S., McCunney, R.J., Samet, J. M., Swankin, D. (1994). Indoor air pollution: An introduction for health professionals. Retrieved July 5, 2009 from www.epa/gov/iaq/pdfs/indoor_air_pollution.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Asbestos in schools. Retrieved June 30, 2009 fromhttp://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/asbestos_in_schools.html

Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Healthy schools campaign. Retrieved June 30, 2009 from

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/environmental.html

Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Healthy seat campaign. Retrieved June 30, 2009 from

http://www.epa.gov/schools/healthyseat/basicinformation.html

Environmental Protection Agency. (2008). High performance schools. Retrieved June 30, 2009

from http://www.epa.gov/iaq/school design/highperformance.html

Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Indoor air pollution. Retrieved July 6, 2009 from

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pdfs/indoor_air_pollution.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Mold. Retrieved June 30, 2009 from

http://epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldremediation.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Yosemite. Retrieved June 28, 2009 from

http://www.yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/fastfacts.htm

Flynn, E., Matz, P., Woolf, A., Wright, R. (2008). Indoor air pollutants affecting child health.

Retrieved July 1, 2009 from http://acmt.net/_Library/docs/IndoorAirPollution.pdf

Healthy Schools Campaign. (2009). Program guide. Retrieved June 28, 2009 from

http://www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/program/gcs/guide.2/1-4use.htm

Minnesota Department of Health. (2009). Indoor air quality in schools. Retrieved June 28, 2009 from

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/schools/admin.htm

Moeller, D. W. (2005). Air in the home and community. In Environmental Health (pp. 117-120).

Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

National Partnership Healthy Schools Campaign. (2009). Green cleaning. Retrieved July 5, 2009 from

http://www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/programs/gcs/index.php

Potera, C. (2008). School siting poses particulate problem. Environmental Health Perspectives,

116(11), 52-56.

USA Today (2009). The smoke stack effect: Toxic air in America’s schools. Retrieved July 12, 2009 from http://content.usatoday.com.news/nation/environment/smokestack/index

Documents

Environmental Health Health Hazards in Public Schools