CLEAN AIR IN SCHOOLS

Submitted by Claire Barnett

HEALTHY SCHOOLS FOR ALL!

The biggest-ever National Healthy Schools Day took place in April 2009, with 48 events and activities in 22 states, the District of Columbia, and — for the first time — Canada.  Teachers, students, parents, nonprofit organizations and government leaders joined forces to promote and celebrate healthy school environments. Events included training and information sessions, Webinars, press conferences, and award presentations. Governors David Paterson of New York and Bob Riley of Alabama issued proclamations putting both on the record in support of clean air  in schools. Congressman Paul Tonko of New York, former president of the state’s Energy Authority, delivered a rousing floor speech in the House, demanding an investment in healthy, green schools.  National Healthy Schools Day is a partnership project between US EPA-IAQ Tools for Schools Program, Healthy Schools Network, and the Council of Educational Facility Planners-International.  From modest roots as a simple online checklist in 2003, it has blossomed into a thriving national day of action and celebration. We thank its many supporters, including APHA and its members, and invite all to consider becoming a co-sponsor for April 2010. For more information, visit www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org.

LANDMARK EPA COMMITMENTS WITH PROFOUND RAMIFICATIONS

Last spring, EPA announced a new project to monitor air toxins outside 62 schools in 22 states; since then two more schools have been added from two tribal nations.  A series of articles in USA Today last December indicated that hundreds of schools nationwide were potentially burdened by elevated levels of outdoor air toxics from nearby stationary and/or mobile sources.  APHA member Vernice Miller-Travis co-chairs EPA’s advisory work group on which Claire Barnett also serves.  For more information, visit www.epa.gov/schoolair. 

At the same time, to comply with a new federal law supported by APHA and hundreds of advocates nationwide (High Performance Green Buildings Act of 2007), EPA is also drafting new federal guidelines on school environmental health, including school siting, that it will advance with federal and state agencies. These are enormous commitments that will affect the environmental health and safety of tens of millions of children, especially those highest risk learners in impacted communities.

APHA members should be aware that EPA resources for its child health and schools-focused programs were slashed during the previous administration, and have not been restored.