Testing is the only way to know if your building has radon, and knowing if your building has radon is the first step toward fixing it. Having trouble knowing where to start? Contact your state radon program for guidance through the process.
Across the country, school facilities staff are working hard to protect IAQ for students, teachers, and staff. She has been in the indoor air quality and industrial hygiene field for 10 years providing environmental consulting and services for school districts, industry, and public agencies. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
They do not change anyone's rights or obligations. And just a few, simple changes in maintenance practices can make a huge difference.
For example, in our district we were bogged down by clutter. We had cluttered classrooms and storage areas full of items that were just collecting dust. About the Author: Richard Middleton has devoted his career to the education and betterment of children. Asthma Management in Your School A panel of asthma experts discussed asthma resources and programs available to schools that want to educate staff on the relationship between IAQ and asthma, emergency response techniques during asthma attacks, and how to track health complaints and concerns.
EPAs Tracey Mitchell and a panel of experts discussed specific strategies for combining IAQ TfS with asthma education programs to comprehensively address asthma in schools. In addition, this session provided guidance on effectively delivering asthma management programs in schools by taking advantage of, and fostering partnerships with, local or regional community organizations that offer such assistance.
Examples included using local media to post public service announcements PSAs and promoting the importance of good IAQ to improve student performance at staff and community meetings. Strategic use of local and regional media can help schools effectively convey the importance of indoor air quality and gain recognition for their successes with IAQ TfS. Key to a team's function is the IAQ Coordinator, who acts as both the visionary leader and organizational manager.
Additionally, it is vital to foster good communication with stakeholders e. Amid extensive attention from local media and stories posted in USA Weekend, the elementary school was closed for building renova- tions.
Repairs for the high school included a new roof and the replacement of ceiling and floor tiles. Since the repairs, students and staff have experienced fewer respiratory-related health problems.
Presenter Dr. John Martyny of the National Jewish Medical and Research Center emphasized that schools must respond to water intrusion within the first 24 - 48 hours of detection to prevent mold growth.
So can many chemicals used to get rid of them. Schools can significantly decrease risks to students, faculty, and staff from pests and pesticides by implementing an integrated pest management IPM program.
The IPM approach can be successful and cost effective because it can be incorporated into existing custodial and maintenance activities, such as sanitation, energy conservation, building security, and infrastructure mainte- nance.
A successful IPM strategy includes proactive manage- ment and an educational program to teach staff and teachers how to monitor their working environment. Copies of the presentations are available at www. Through IPM measures, costing no more than tradi- tional pest control methods, the district has drastically reduced pesticide use. Schools and districts submitted award applications in which they described their IAQ program and attached promotional materials, announcements, and news articles published by local or national media recognizing their efforts to improve indoor air quality.
In all, EPA honored 19 schools and school teams for their accomplishments and their commitment to advocating healthy indoor environments in schools nationwide. The school used a team approach to overcome skepticism that an IAQ program was workable or even necessary.
Its IAQ committee included members from across the school community and outside experts. By identifying ventilation problems and setting short- and long-term goals, the school steadily improved IAQ and won peoples confidence. The IAQ team represents a cross-section of school personnel, including trade union representatives, a teacher, a nurse, and a parent.
Solutions included establishing written procedures for the use of pesticides and chemicals and better communication between teachers and custodial and maintenance personnel. West Virginia Department of Education, Charleston, West Virginia, staff members completed IAQ facility reviews, identified problems, provided technical assistance to schools, and made recommendations for resolving problems.
They also conducted outreach and education to the public, school personnel, and county officials in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Health.
The experts conducted walk-throughs in more than 50 of the district's schools, discovering small IAQ problems as well as more serious concerns that were then corrected. He often takes Bensalem's award with him to show that the benefits of good IAQ can go beyond healthier schools. Because school nurses are trusted sources of information about health and health risks, she believes they can be influential in gaining school board or adminis- trative buy-in for IAQ programs in a school or across a school district.
School nurses can also play an important role by monitoring and tracking lAQ-related health effects. Neale was a keynote presenter at this year's Symposium. Se below for more details. Florida's high humidity and mold growth go hand-in-hand. Bill Smith implemented a successful district-wide IAQ program to solve this di- lemma.
Since then, Dr. Smith has spoken about his IAQ program and experiences at numerous conferences. One of the greatest achievements for the IAQ program was a resolution passed by the Board of Education in January that declared "every child has a right to a safe and healthy learning en- vironment, and the maintenance of this envi- ronment is essential to learning and a goal of the LAUSD. During the - school year, 46,, students were enrolled in the nation's 16, school districts.
US Department of Education. National Center for Education Statistics. Saugus s IAQ experience began in February when the principal of PJo Vista Elementary School received a doctor's note about a student who had been experiencing upper respiratory problems, allergies, and headaches. The doctor reported that, due to poor indoor air in the school, the child had formaldehyde poisoning and had tested positive for benzene, arsenic, phenols, and the toxic mold Stachybotrys chartarum.
Taking the matter very seriously, the assistant superin- tendent contacted EPA immediately to learn about IAQ and form a plan to assess the situation. However, in a miscalcula- tion that was to have long-term consequences, the district did not publicly confront the issue as it worked on the IAQ problem in March and April. Rumors spread and allegations of a cover-up appeared in the local press even as Pvio Vista was tested for toxins and independent tests revealed no evidence of exposure to mold and the other substances that had triggered alarm.
In May, the district finally acted to reassure the community when it held a public meeting to report on the findings and the repair work that had been done to resolve minor IAQ problems. The damage was done, though. Despite the presence of seven local television stations, CNN, three newspapers, and various local radio stations, it took 15 months before negative press coverage subsided. Eventually, by continuing to be open and proactive, Saugus was able to win the support and confidence of the community and an Excellence Award from EPA for its efforts to effectively address and prevent IAQ problems.
It was a hard lesson in public relations.
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