Healthy School Environments Topics A-Z
School Indoor Air Quality Policy Database
HEALTHY SCHOOL TOPICS A - ZASTHMA AND SCHOOLAsthma is a long-term lung disease for which there is no cure, but it can be controlled. Common symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. People with asthma often have triggers which aggravate asthma symptoms and make them worse. Anyone can have asthma, however it often develops in childhood. One out of every 13 school-age children has asthma. Children with asthma miss twice as many school days as children without asthma. Many substances found in school buildings affect indoor air quality and can trigger asthma symptoms. Airborne allergens, such as animal dander, dust mites and pollen, are substances that can cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma symptoms in some people. Airborne allergens are carried in the air, but they will settle also settle onto furniture and floor surfaces
ASBESTOSAsbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is resistant to heat and many chemicals. It was once commonly used in building materials, including materials used in schools, for its insulating and fire resistant properties. Removing asbestos from schools is an option, however, if the asbestos material is intact and undisturbed, then it generally does not pose a health risk. These materials only become hazardous when they deteriorate and the asbestos fibers are released into the air.
BED BUGSBed Bugs don’t discriminate. Anyone can get Bed Bugs. These insects do not care what race you are, your age, or your economic status; they are simply looking for their next meal. Help remove the stigma associated with Bed Bugs and participate in the solution. Know the facts about Bed Bugs. Bed bugs are very successful hitchhikers, moving from an infested site to furniture, bedding, baggage, boxes, and clothing. Bed Bugs feed exclusively on blood. Depending on the conditions of your home, each Bed Bug may feed once every 5 to 10 days. They are quite resilient and are capable of surviving over a year without feeding. Bed Bugs are usually active late at night – not during typical home visits. Bed Bugs do not carry disease. This factsheet provides guidance on the precautions you can take to prevent the spread of Bed Bugs.
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATIONSA green school is a school building that was designed and constructed to create a healthy environment that promotes learning while saving energy, resources and money. Green schools typically cost less to operate because they are more energy efficient than traditional school buildings. Green schools have carefully planned acoustics and abundant daylight to make it easier and more comfortable for students to learn. They focus on having clean indoor air, which cuts down sick days and gives our children a head start for a healthy, prosperous future.
CARBON MONOXIDEPollution from diesel school buses poses a serious health risk to children and adults. Exposure to diesel exhaust can aggravate asthma symptoms and irritate the lungs. When school buses are idling, they emit exhaust that can enter the vehicle or the classroom exposing children and adults to these pollutants.
CHEMICALSIn schools, chemicals are used by students, teachers, and maintenance personnel. Chemicals can be found in science classrooms and laboratories, art classrooms, and vocational shops. Chemicals are also used in and around the building for maintenance and operations, such as cleaning, painting, and pest control. Many of these chemicals have possible health, safety and environmental considerations, therefore they must be properly managed in schools to ensure the safety of students and staff.
GREEN CLEANINGMany traditional cleaners used in schools expose children, maintenance staff, and teachers to toxic chemicals. Many of these cleaners contribute to poor indoor air quality and may aggravate asthma symptoms. They may also irritate eyes, lungs and skin. Green cleaning is the practice of replacing traditional toxic cleaners with less toxic or environmentally friendly ones. Green cleaning also addresses improving cleaning practices and equipment used in schools, homes or other buildings.
HAND WASHINGHand washing is a simple and easy way to kill germs and prevent the spread of infection. Every day we come into contact with germs from using the bathroom and shaking hands with people to touching contaminated surfaces and animals. These germs are transferred just by touching our eyes, nose or mouth, and the same germs can be easily given to others simultaneously. Illnesses spread through this hand-to-hand contact include the cold, flu and diarrhea, and neglecting proper hand washing can communicate food-related sicknesses such as salmonella and E. coli. Proper hand washing is an important tool in disease prevention.
INDOOR AIR QUALITYThe EPA ranks indoor air pollution as one of the top environmental risks to public health. Good indoor air quality is an important factor in a healthy indoor environment. Indoor air quality can affect the performance and health of students and staff.
LEADChildren are most at risk from the harmful effects of lead exposure. Lead can accumulate in a child’s body resulting in learning and behavior problems and can cause brain, kidney and nervous system damage. The most common sources of lead are lead based paint and lead dust from homes or buildings painted before 1978. Schools built before 1978 may be a source of lead exposure and should have the paint, soil and dust tested for lead.
MERCURYMercury can be found in many items in schools, such as thermometers, switches, thermostat, lamps, and laboratory reagents in chemistry and science labs. Two major causes of mercury spills at schools are improper storage and mishandling of items. Accidental exposure to mercury can have negative health effects on children. The EPA encourages schools to prevent spills by safely removing and properly disposing of all items containing mercury.
MOLD & MOISTUREMold and mold spores can be found almost anywhere, and can grow on a variety of substances, from wood and paper to carpets and building material. Mold grows in schools when spores land in areas with excess moisture. Water can enter schools through leaky roofs, pipes, or windows, poor drainage, or floods. Moisture problems may also come from carpet cleaning, high humidity during the summer, or reduced use of air conditioning or ventilating systems when school is not in session. Mold has the potential to irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of students and teachers who are exposed. In sensitive individuals, more severe or allergic reactions can occur.
PESTICIDES/INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM)Pesticides need to be used carefully, especially when used in areas where children are present. Children are more sensitive than adults to pesticides, therefore pesticides need to be used carefully, if at all, in schools. The EPA recommends that schools use integrated pest management (IPM) to reduce pesticide risk and exposure to children. IPM is a safer, and often less expensive, option for effective pest management in a school setting.
RADONRadon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless naturally occurring radioactive gas. It is produced by the breakdown of uranium found within soils. When radon concentrations increase in indoor air, it can pose an increased health risk. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States resulting in about 20,000 deaths each year. It is important that school administrators, teachers, parents and students be aware that elevated radon levels may exist in their school. Radon can only be detected by testing and the EPA recommends all schools test for radon.
RECYLING PROGRAMS/WASTE REDUCTIONRecycling removes material from the waste stream and uses it to make another product. When schools adopt a recycling program, they can reduce disposal costs, save valuable landfill space, conserve natural resources and provide students with educational opportunities.
TRANSPORTATIONPollution from diesel school buses poses a serious health risk to children and adults. Exposure to diesel exhaust can aggravate asthma symptoms and irritate the lungs. When school buses are idling, they emit exhaust that can enter the vehicle or the classroom exposing children and adults to these pollutants.
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCs)Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that are emitted from a variety of products that use chemicals, such as paints, cleaning supplies, pesticides, carpets, glues, permanent markers and more. All of these products can emit VOCs when the product is being used, and to a lesser extent, when they are stored. Some VOCs may have short-term health effects, such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, headache, and nausea, while others may have long-term health effects. The severity of the health effect depends on a variety of factors, including how toxic the chemical is, the level of the exposure and the length of time exposed. Concentrations of many VOCs are often higher indoors than outdoors.
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