Letter to the Editor - Patriot-News Harrisburg, PA: Re: Sewer Leak and Sick Kids

April 25, 2008

Dear Patriot-News Editor,

I was very concerned to learn of the “sewer gas” leakage problem at the Ben Franklin School in Harrisburg. For students and faculty to breathe in those toxic fumes for over two months is unconscionable and has directly put the health and safety of the building occupants in jeopardy.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “most people spend 90% of their time indoors. Exposure to indoor air pollutants may be 2-5 times, and sometimes 100 times, higher inside buildings than outside.”

Since this incident at Ben Franklin, parents should be asking their school administrators the following questions:

#1. What was the plan for the safety and health of the 175 students, teachers, and staff during this time and why did it take so long?

#2. What was the plan for reporting this health and safety problem? Obviously, it took two months and students to become sick before action was taken. This is unacceptable!

#3. Were the building occupants empowered to advocate for their own health / safety issues without fear of retribution (reprimand, loss of job, change of assignment, etc.) – or were their efforts to self advocate dismissed as they were breathing in the toxic fumes?

Developing children breathe more air than adults. They are more vulnerable to health issues. Schools have the responsibility to act quickly when faced with indoor air quality problems – not wait two months to evacuate and then investigate!

Pennsylvania Representative Mark Longietti sponsored House Resolution No. 682, which recognizes April 28, 2008 as “National Healthy Schools Day” in Pennsylvania.

Rep. Longietti’s resolution was co-sponsored by 85 members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and passed in the House.

The resolution states that the Commonwealth is “committed to the health of all students” . . . and that “indoor air quality problems in school facilities . . . can affect the development of young children, cause upper respiratory illnesses and contribute to learning disabilities...” The resolution also states, “a goal of “National Healthy Schools Day” is to raise awareness regarding the air quality in our schools and encourage schools to improve air quality by providing better ventilation, maintenance, and cleaning . . . and by using non-toxic cleaning products. . . “ The complete resolution can be seen at: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2007&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=R&billNbr=0682&pn=3517

The Harrisburg School System would do a service to its children and staff to institute the EPA’s “Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program.” This free program is designed to act on problems immediately and specifically like the one that occurred at the Ben Franklin School. “IAQ Tools for Schools” information can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html

As parents, grandparents, and concerned citizens, we expect nothing less than to have our schools protect the health and safety of our children. All schools should be celebrating “National Healthy Schools Day” on April 28 and everyday. Learn more at: http://www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org/ .

Sincerely, Rhonda Paglia
Retired teacher, 26 years
Coordinator, Green Grannies & Friends for Clean Air & Healthy Kids
greengrannies@gmail.com
http://www.greengrannies.x10hosting.com/

Cc: PA Rep. Mark Longietti

Cc: Claire L. Barnett, Executive Director
Healthy Schools Network, Inc.518-462-0632
Coordinator, Coalition for Healthier Schools
202-543-7555
http://www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.com/

Letter to the Pennsylvania State Education Association about National Healthy Schools Day

Dear PSEA,

Please be informed that “National Healthy Schools Day” is April 28, 2008. National Healthy Schools Day and the National Healthy Schools Network is supported by the National Education Association, the Department of Education, the EPA, the CDC, the American Lung Association, and many other organizations dedicated to the health of children and school building occupants.

Here are several ways our schools can celebrate and begin to take action by making the school building environment safer for children and teachers:

• Switch to non-toxic, “green” cleaning products. “Green” cleaners, which are safer than commercial chemical cleaners, will eliminate poisons and off gasses in the air our children breathe.
• Improve indoor air quality. Clean the duct work and ventilation system on a regular basis - in addition to changing vent filters.
• Institute the EPA’s "Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools" program. Schools using this program report a reduction in use of inhalers in schools, fewer trips to the school nurse, better attendance, and increased student performance. This program is free and will help insure good, safe indoor air quality for our school occupants. It can be ordered at: www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html .
• Improve school cleaning standards. How our schools are cleaned - or not cleaned - has a direct impact on the heath and welfare of our children and teachers.
  Stop school bus idling. Diesel exhaust fumes enter through the ventilation system, open doors, and windows and can damage the health of the building occupants.

I would like to thank Pennsylvania Representative Mark Longietti who sponsored House Resolution No. 682, which recognizes April 28, 2008 as “National Healthy Schools Day” in Pennsylvania.

Rep. Longietti’s resolution was co-sponsored by 85 members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and passed in the House. The resolution states that the Commonwealth is “committed to the health of all students” . . . and that “indoor air quality problems in school facilities . . . can affect the development of young children, cause upper respiratory illnesses and contribute to learning disabilities...” The resolution also states, “a goal of “National Healthy Schools Day” is to raise awareness regarding the air quality in our schools and encourage schools to improve air quality by providing better ventilation, maintenance, and cleaning . . . and by using non-toxic cleaning products. . . “

PSEA needs to support the “Green School Initiative” and promote the legislation supporting the development of “Healthy High Performance Schools.” Please encourage our PA schools to celebrate “National Healthy Schools Day” on April 28, which is the first day of “School Building Week.” To learn more, please go to: www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org .

Sincerely,

Rhonda Paglia, retired teacher, 26 years, former member of NEA, PSEA, and Hermitage Education Association
724-342-0793

A message from PA Rep. Mark Longietti's office

Dear Friends, I wrote to Rep. Mark Longietti's office asking the following:

April 13, 2008

Is there any chance that each of the co-sponsors could e-mail this National Healthy Schools Day resolution to the schools in their districts, with a link to www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org for suggestions on how their local school districts can participate on April 28?

The reply just came in:
April 15, 2008

Dear Rhonda,

We forwarded the resolution [#682 - Resolving April 28, 2008 as "National Healthy Schools Day" in Pennsylvania] to all Democratic House Members and asked them to participate.

Brenda Tomko
PA Rep. Mark Longietti office


YEAH!! Pennsylvania is actually participating this year!!! Thanks for all your help and support!

Letter to the Editor - Schools Should Celebrate National Healthy Schools Day

April 15, 2008

Dear Editor,

“National Healthy Schools Day” is April 28, 2008. Here are ways our schools can celebrate and take action:

• Switch to non-toxic, “green” cleaning products. “Green” cleaners, which are safer than commercial chemical cleaners, will eliminate poisons and off gasses in the air our children breathe.
• Improve indoor air quality. Clean the duct work and ventilation system on a regular basis - in addition to changing vent filters.
• Institute the EPA’s "Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools" program. Schools using this program report a reduction in use of inhalers in schools, fewer trips to the school nurse, better attendance, and increased student performance. This program is free and will help insure good, safe indoor air quality for our school occupants. It can be ordered at: www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html.
• Improve school cleaning standards. How our schools are cleaned - or not cleaned - has a direct impact on the heath and welfare of our children and teachers.
• Stop school bus idling. Diesel exhaust fumes enter through the ventilation system, open doors, and windows and can damage the health of the building occupants.
  
  I would like to thank Pennsylvania Representative Mark Longietti who sponsored House Resolution No. 682, which recognizes April 28, 2008 as “National Healthy Schools Day” in Pennsylvania.
  
  Rep. Longietti’s resolution was co-sponsored by 85 members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and passed in the House. The resolution states that the Commonwealth is “committed to the health of all students” . . . and that “indoor air quality problems in school facilities . . . can affect the development of young children, cause upper respiratory illnesses and contribute to learning disabilities...” The resolution also states, “a goal of “National Healthy Schools Day” is to raise awareness regarding the air quality in our schools and encourage schools to improve air quality by providing better ventilation, maintenance, and cleaning . . . and by using non-toxic cleaning products. . . “
  
  Encourage your schools to clean up and green up for our children. Let’s celebrate “National Healthy Schools Day” on April 28 and everyday. Learn more at: www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Rhonda Paglia, coordinator

Green Grannies & Friends for Clean Air & Healthy Kids
724-342-0793

PA Resolution for "National Healthy Schools Day" PASSES!!

In the House, April 7, 2008

Whereas "National Healthy Schools Day" observances in communities nationwide highlight the impact of school facilities and the school environment on child health, development,and academic achievement; and

Whereas, A healthy learning environment heightens student attendance and performance; and

Whereas, The Commonwealth is committed to the health of all students in public school districts, charter schools, intermediate units, career and technical education schools, and area vocational-technical schools; and

Whereas, The Department of Education, the Department of Health and other state agencies promote healthy schools policies in cooperation with school officials and community partners; and

Whereas, the Commonwealth has implemented guidelines to prevent or resolve indoor air quality problems in public school facilties, where young children with special needs are especially vulnerable to toxic mold and chemical exposure, which can affect their development, cause upper respiratory illnesses and contribute to learning disabilities; and

Whereas Indoor air quality can also affect attendance, concentration, and performance by both children and teachers, who normally spend 30 - 50 hours each week in school buildings; and

Whereas, A goal of "National Healthy Schools Day" is to raise awareness regarding air quality in our schools and to encourage schools to improve air quality by providing better ventilation, maintenance and cleaning of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and by using nontoxic cleaning products; and

Whereas, "National Healthy Schools Day" is the first day of "School Building Week," April 28 through May 2, 2008; therefore be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes April 28, 2008, as "National Healthy Schools Day" in Pennsylvania.

I certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of House Resolution No. 682 introduced by Representatives Longietti, Beyer, Biancucci, Bishop, Boback, Brennan, Brooks, Caltagirone, Cohen, Conklin, Daley, DeLuca, DePasquale, DiGirolamo, Donatucci, Eachus, Everett, Fleck, Frankel, Freeman, Galloway, Geist, George, Gibbons, Gillespie, Gingrich, Goodman, Grucela, Harhart, Harkins, Helm, Hennessey, Hershey, Hess, M. Keller, Kenney, Killion, Kortz, Kotik, Kula, Mahoney, Major, Mann, Mantz, McCall, McGeehan, McIlhatton, McIlvaine Smith, Melio, Millard, Moyer, Mundy, Murt, Myers, M. O'Brien, O'Neill, Pallone, Parker, Payne, Petrone, Phillips, Ramaley, Readshaw, Reichley, Ross, Rubley, Sainato, Santoni, Saylor, Scavello, Siptroth, K. Smith, Solobay, Sonney, Staback, R. Stevenson, Swanger, True, Vulakovich, Wheatley, J. White, Wojnaroski, Youngblood, D. O'Brien, and adopted by the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Sealed and signed by Dennis M. O'Brien, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

NEW - Our National Healthy Schools Day Event

JOIN US and "Celebrate National Healthy Schools Day"

Date: May 1 - 4, 2008

Place: Shenango Valley Mall, Hermitage, PA 16148

Purpose: To provide information on Indoor Air Quality & Health at the Spring Bazaar Event

Time: Mall Hours: 10 - 9 all 4 days

What you can do:

• Come help us: pass out literature on Indoor Air Quality from the EPA and the American Lung Association. We will be providing information on how IAQ affects the health of building occupants, especially children in schools.
• Learn: about "Going Green" at home & in schools
• Sign our petition: which we will forward to Pennsylvania's Governor Rendell asking for his support in creating strong, effective laws supporting cleaner air and smoke free public places in Pennsylvania.
• Bring the Kids: We will have something special for the children so they can learn about IAQ and how they can help.
• Our Green Friend, Dee, from "More Tranquility" will be giving 5 minute mini-chair massages on Thursday, May 1 from 3 - 6 or 7 PM.
• And more . . .

What else we've done:

Created:

• G-mail: greengrannies@gmail.com
• Blog: http://greengrannies.blogspot.com - Please feel free to comment
• Created a website: http://www.greengrannies.x10hosting.com/ - Thanks Amy!!

Sent:

• National Healthy Schools Day Postcard reminders to all public schools in Mercer, Lawrence, Crawford, Venango, Butler and Erie Counties, many private schools in Mercer, Lawrence, and Crawford counties and all the colleges in the Tri-county area.
• National Healthy Schools Day Postcard reminders were sent to all the Parents, Grandparents & Friends on our Green Grannies & Friends e-mail list.
• Letter to the Editor, Sharon Herald, PA: Letter #1 - [3-6-08] Topic: Health concerns for children and staff during school renovations
• Letter to the Editor, Sharon Herald, PA: Letter #2 - [3-26-08] Topic: Questions parents should ask of administrators and builders prior to school renovations

Thanked:

• Green Grannies and Friends for sending e-mails and letters to our State Representatives asking them to support National Healthy Schools Day, April 28.
• It's not too late: send an e-mail to your state legislator and thank them for supporting National Healthy Schools Day: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/find.cfm

Meeting / Presentations:

• 2-8-08: Met with State Representative Mark Longietti, Mercer County, PA who is sponsoring a statewide resolution for National Healthy Schools Day.
• 4-3-08: A well received talk & discussion with the Sharon La Leche League on the affects of Indoor Air Quality on children’s health
• 4-4-08: Met with local members to discuss the local National Healthy Schools Event at the Shenango Valley Mall Spring Bazaar Event, May 1 - 4, 2008

WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW:

• Send an e-mail to your state representative, click below, find your local representative and say thank you for supporting National Healthy Schools Day, on April 28 and thank them for strengthening legislation to clean up and green up our state: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/find.cfm
• If you can help us at the mall event - e-mail us: greengrannies@gmail.com
• Check out :Lessons Learned - a national study on how indoor air quality is affecting 32,000,000 children nationwide - http://www.healthyschools.org/documents/Lessons_Learned_Rpt.pdf
• To learn more check out: http://www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org/
• To join our efforts and volunteer to help at: greengrannies@gmail.com
  

Check out our new Website

Green Grannies & Friends for Clean Air & Healthy Kids:

NEW website: http://www.greengrannies.x10hosting.com/

Thanks Amy!!

National Healthy Schools Day

CELEBRATE
National Healthy Schools Day April 28, 2008

Ways to participate:

1. Have a "Clean Up Our School" Event


2. Write letters to your school administrators and thank them for keeping your school clean.


3. What your school can DO RIGHT NOW!

• Institute the EPA's Indoor Air Quality, "IAQ Tools for Schools Program" - it's FREE and can be ordered at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html

• Switch to clean, biodegradable, eco-friendly cleaning products. Biodegradable cleaning products will not give off toxic gases and fumes that can affect the health of children and adults. Cleaning products with the "Green Seal" are safer, more eco-friendly industrial strength cleaners. [See side bar for eco-friendly cleaning products you can use at home.]

• Clean out the duct work in your schools at least one time each year, in addition to replacing ventilation filters.

• Turn off school bus engines. School buses that are idling during drop off and pick up give off harmful diesel exhaust fumes. These toxic fumes can enter the school building and directly affect the indoor air your children are breathing. By stopping school buses from idling, this is one small step that can make indoor air safer and cleaner for the children.

Some Long Term Goals for Cleaning Up and Greening Up Schools:

• Remove all carpeting in classrooms. Carpeting fibers and carpet glue can off gas toxic chemicals for years. Carpeting also holds dust, dustmites, mold, mildew, chalkdust, chemicals, like Chemlawn, and animal feces, brought into classrooms on children's feet from home.

• Replace carpeting with a flooring like Marmoleum that is easy to clean, will not off gas, and will resist mold and mildew.

For more ideas on National Healthy Schools Day events visit: http://www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org/

KEEP OUR KIDS AND TEACHERS SAFE AND HEALTHY

CELEBRATE

BY CLEANING UP AND GREENING UP OUR SCHOOLS!!

The Green Grannies and Friends for Clean Air and Healthy Kids are grateful to the following for their work on this important issue:

• Healthy Schools Network: http://www.healthyschools.org/
• The National Coalition for Healthier Schools
• The Environmental Protection Agency
• The National Education Association

Unabridged Letter to the Editor of the Sharon Herald

March 6, 2008
Editor, Sharon Herald
South Dock Street
Sharon, PA 16146

Dear Editor,

During the past several weeks there have been many articles in the Sharon Herald about schools in Mercer County that will be undergoing renovations. This is an exciting time for students, teachers, and parents alike, but renovating old buildings or new building construction has the potential for exposing the entire school population to long term health issues, major medical traumas, and a reduced quality of life. How do I know this? I “lived” through a school renovation and am paying the health related consequences.

Parents, teachers, and staff must know that construction workers are protected under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Children and teachers, who will be exposed to the same toxic debris, polluted air, and mold, are not.

The occupants of the renovated buildings will be spending 30 to 50 hours a week in an environment that will be filled with construction dust containing major carcinogens, mold spores, and asthma inducing pollutants. The workers will be masked to protect their lungs during the process, our teachers and students will not.

“National Healthy Schools Day” is April 28, 2008. It comes during “School Building Week,” April 28 - May 2, 2008. We must insist that our “School Buildings,” which house our most precious commodity, our children, grandchildren, and our teachers, are healthy and clean, and not “sick.”

The “Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007” was passed and signed into law on December 19, 2007. This law “establishes a new federal office of green buildings . . . and directs the US EPA to promote healthy school environments by working with state agencies, by creating federal guidelines for the siting of schools, and by developing model guidelines for children’s environmental health in schools.”

According to the Coalition for Healthier Schools which is coordinated by the Healthy Schools Network, “school design standards are coming under No Child Left Behind (Sec. 5581, Healthy High Performance Schools), mandating the Department of Education to conduct a “Study of National Significance” (Sec. 5414) on the impacts of decayed schools on children and report the finding to the US Congress.”

All of us need to assure that our children are learning in an environment that provides clean indoor air quality and a healthy living standard. I have formed a group called the “Green Grannies and Friends for Clean Air and Healthy Kids.” One of our goals to provide information about indoor air quality and the effects it has on building occupants. We are working to promote a safe, healthy environment for our children and their teachers.

Parents need to ask their administrators and contractors some tough questions prior to renovations. For information on questions to ask, how to clean up and green up our schools, or to learn more about “National Healthy Schools Day” and what YOU can do to protect your child, check out: http://greengrannies.blogspot.com

Sincerely, Rhonda Paglia
Retired teacher, 26 years
Coordinator, Green Grannies and Friends for Clean Air & Healthy Kids
greengrannies@gmail.com

NEW ENERGY LAW FOR HEALTHY HIGH PERFORMANCE SCHOOLS

December 19, 2007, the president signed into law the President Signs Energy Bill Enacting Healthy High Performance Schools .

Write to your legislators, get them involved in putting this new law into action NOW.

Encourage your school district to work toward one of the EPA's award for good indoor air qualtiy in schools. How exciting it would be for our children to attend a "Healthy" High Performance School! Awards: US EPA National Special Achievement Award for School Indoor Air Quality, Collaborative for High Performance Schools Award for IAQ in School Design

For more information and suggestions on how to celebrate "National Healthy Schools Day", please visit the National Healthy Schools Day website.

KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE - TAKE ACTION NOW!

TAKE ACTION NOW - to help keep our Children and Grandchildren safe and healthy!

#1. Order a FREE "Indoor Air Quality [IAQ] Tools for Schools" kit. This program, designed by the EPA, helps insure good, safe indoor air quality for school occupants. You can order the free kit here: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html .

#2. Go through the "IAQ Tools for Schools" kit. Watch the videos. Read the material, review the IAQ check lists. Learn about the importance of good indoor air quality and the affects poor IAQ can have on building occupants.

#3. Share what you have learned with other parents and members of the PTO. Share it with your school administrators, school nurses, and teachers. As parents, you have the most influence to help make reforms within your school district to protect your children.

#3. Encourage schools to EDUCATE their schools maintenance workers. How school maintenance workers clean - or do not clean - has a direct and dynamic affect on your child's heath and safety.

#4. "Get Clean by Going Green!" If schools would change their chemical, toxic cleaning products to biodegradable, environmentally, safe cleaning products, the safety and health of our children would be improved. Using "green" cleaners will reduce toxins and off gasses in school buildings, improving the air our children breathe each day.

See side bar to links of Eco-friendly cleaning products. If industial strength cleaners are needed, make sure your school purchases products with the "GREEN SEAL."

A few "Tools for Schools" FACTS:

Schools that are already using the "EPA's Tools for Schools" are reporting:

• a reduction in use of inhalers in schools
• less trips to the school nurse.
• better attendance
• Increase in student performance . . . this is significant!
  

One piece of the IAQ Tools for Schools is a "Walk Through." Two short video segments can be seen below.

SCHOOL RENOVATIONS QUESTIONS - KEEP OUR KIDS & STAFF SAFE

When school buildings are being renovated, parents and grandparents MUST be concerned about the welfare of the building occupants, our children, teachers, and staff.

The construction workers are protected under Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] standards, but there are no OSHA standards for children. We need to fix this!

Here are some very important questions to ask adminstrators, school board members, and the construction company prior to school renovations:
These questions are adapted from the Healthy Schools Network and the EPA.

#1. Is there a plan for the safety and health of the occupants [the children, teachers, and staff] during the renovations? If so, what are those plans?

#2. How quickly will the administration or the builders be to complaints relating to occupant safety and health issues as they arise?

#3. When construction is going on in an occupied building, are its occupants, our children and staff, informed of the protocol involved in reporting a problem regarding their health and safety?
#4. Are the building occupants empowered to advocate for their own health and safetly without fear of retribution, reprimand, loss of job, etc.?

#5. How will the chemical fumes, gases, dust, and other contaminants that are in the air during construction be controlled?

#6. How will dust, debris, asbestos fibers, and dust contaminated poisonous toxins such as lead from paint, be prevented from entering the occupied parts of the building where your children and your teachers are working?

#7. How does the ventilation system work? Will it be sealed off to prevent toxic fumes and particulant matter from entering the air while your children are in class?

#8. Will the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning [HVAC] system be thoroughly cleaned after construction? If not – WHY? The particulate matter that has collected in the ventilation system will blow contaminated dust and debris into the newly renovated classrooms if not thoroughly cleaned. Regular cleaning should be demanded of our schools. The routine changing of filters is NOT enough.

#9. Will the school be constructed with materials that will give off gasses, fumes, and volatile organic compounds [VOC’s]. Examples of VOC's are: formaldehyde glue, paint thinners, and cleaning chemicals, chemicals used in plastics, carpeting? These materials can off-gas for years after construction.

#10. How will the noise pollution be controlled so your children are guaranteed the right of an environment conducive to learning? Parents and building occupants have the Right To Know what the building occupants are being exposed to and what their children are breathing.

Green Grannies and Friends in Action!!

Green Grannies & Friends for Clean Air & Healthy Kids:
NEW website:
http://www.greengrannies.10xhosting.com/

Thanks Amy!!

National Healthy Schools Day Postcard reminders were sent to all public schools in Mercer, Lawrence, Crawford, Venango, Butler and Erie Counties, many private schools in Mercer, Lawrence, and Crawford counties and all the colleges in the Tri-county area.

Letters to the Editor of the Sharon Herald:
Letter #1 - [3-6-08] Health concerns for children and staff during school renovations
Letter #2 - [3-26-08, published 4-3-08] Questions parents should ask of administrators and builders prior to school renovations

4-3-08: Presentation & discussion with the Sharon, PA La Leche League on the affects of Indoor Air Quality on children’s health.

Thank You Green Grannies and Friends from all over: for sending e-mails and letters to our State Representatives asking them to support National Healthy Schools Day. If you haven't sent an e-mail to your representative, click below to find your state representative and say thank you for supporting National Healthy Schools Day, on April 28. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/representativesalpha.cfm

Thank you State Representatives:

PA Rep. Mark Longietti, Mercer County and PA Rep. Mark Keller, Perry & Franklin Counties, for sponsoring a resolution for National Healthy Schools Day.

*******

Thanks Michael from Georgia - His students wrote letters to the principal explaining why they felt their school should participate on National Healthy Schools Day!

*******

Thanks Janet from PA - Breathing Dirty Air May Lower Kids' IQs Check this out: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23188393/wid/11915773/

*******

IAQ Lingo - 101

CDC = Center for Disease Control
EPA = Environmental Protection Agency
HHPS = Healthy High Performance Schools
HVAC System = Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning System
IAQ = Indoor Air Quality
NAS = National Academy of Science
NHSD = National Healthy Schools Day
OSHA = Occupational Safety and Healthy Administration [standards for industrial workers]
VOC's = Volatile Organic Chemicals - materials that give off gasses, like glues, paint, chemical cleaning products, etc.

National Healthy Schools Day: Why it is so important

April 28, 2008 is “National Healthy Schools Day.”

When we hear “Healthy Schools Day,” the natural assumption is that “Healthy” refers to student wellness, eliminating junk food in the school cafeteria, and encouraging kids to exercise more. However, there is another purpose for celebrating National Healthy Schools Day.

“National Healthy Schools Day” comes during “School Building Week,” which is April 28 - May 2, 2008. The purpose is to celebrate the "health" of our school buildings. The health or "sickness" of the “School Facilities / Buildings,” can directly affect the health of our most precious commodities, our children and grandchildren. The goal is to make sure our school buildings are clean and healthy, not “sick.”

QUICK FACTS:

• According to the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] “nearly one in 13 children now have asthma and the numbers of students using inhalers in schools is rising at an epidemic proportion.”
• According to the Center for Disease Control [CDC], “Asthma is the third ranking cause of hospitalization of children ages 15 and under.”
• According to the EPA, CDC, and the National Academy of Science [NAS], “Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors [this includes children in school] exposed to indoor allergens and irritants which play a significant role in triggering asthma episodes. Asthma “triggers” include: dust, mold, mildew, strong fumes from cleaning products, paints, construction dust and fumes, diesel exhaust, and toxic pesticides.”
• Children and staff with asthma, allergies, or chemical sensitivities are going to experience health problems unless strict precautions are taken.

One piece of the IAQ Tools for Schools is a "Walk Through." Two short video segments can be seen below.

#2. December 19, 2007, the president signed into law the President Signs Energy Bill Enacting Healthy High Performance Schools . Write to your legislators, get them involved in putting this new law into action NOW.

#3. Encourage your school district to work toward one of the EPA's awards for good indoor air quality in schools. How exciting it would be for our children to attend a "Healthy" High Performance School! Awards: US EPA National Special Achievement Award for School Indoor Air Quality, Collaborative for High Performance Schools Award for IAQ in School Design

#4. Finally, encourage your school to "Get Clean by Going Green!" Changing to biodegradable, environmentally safe cleaning products will reduce the toxin and off gasses in school buildings. Green Cleaning will improve air qualtiy and keep our children and staff healthier and safer. See side bar to links of Eco-friendly cleaning products.

For more information and suggestions on how to celebrate "National Healthy Schools Day", please visit the National Healthy Schools Day website.

Tools for Schools benefits and School Walk-through Videos

Benefits of Good Indoor Air Quality [IAQ}
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/benefits.html

Improving IAQ in schools can help:

• Reduce absenteeism
• Improve student and staff concentration
• Improve student productivity and performance
• Decrease IAQ-related health risks from exposure to indoor pollutants
• Reduce environmental triggers of asthma
• Reduce respiratory illness

From EPA Studies:

• Schools across the country have observed many health-related benefits from implementing the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit (Read their

Case Studies):
Improvements in comfort levels and a decrease in IAQ-related complaints (King-Murphy Elementary School, Colorado)

A reduction in IAQ complaints from one per month to three per year since 1997 (Shamona Creek Elementary School, Pennsylvania)

A dramatic decrease in absenteeism, fewer reported bronchitis cases reported by school staff, an increase in comfort, and a 25-percent reduction in the number of visits to the school nurse within the first 5 months of implementing the Action Kit (Little Harbour School, New Hampshire)

A 50-percent reduction in visits to the nurse’s office for the use of asthma inhalers (G.W. Carver Elementary School, California)

A reduction from 75 complaints related to health and faulty equipment in 1994 to fewer than 15 in 1999 (Okaloosa County School District, Florida)

IAQ problems affect building occupants’ attendance, comfort, and performance.
Decreased School Absenteeism

School funding is often directly linked to attendance, most often the average daily attendance rate.

If a school experiences high absenteeism rates, future funding could be adversely affected.

IAQ problems can result in absences because of respiratory infections, allergic diseases from biological contaminants, or irritant reactions to chemicals used in virtually every part of the school.

Some conditions in the school environment are closely associated with the incidence of sick building syndrome and asthma symptoms.

Asthma-related illness is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism.

EPA Award Winner Testimonial

• Little Harbour School in New Hampshire noticed a dramatic decrease in absenteeism within the first five months of implementing the IAQ Tools for Schools Program: “We saw a significant decrease in absenteeism rates of children, especially for a child with severe asthma, since we completed the IAQ upgrades.” Priscilla Santiago,School Nurse
  
• If schools have poor IAQ, students, teachers, and staff may miss more school days and experience decreased performance. Poor IAQ and related problems that can lead to school absences include:
• Asthma - Asthma-related illness is a primary cause of school absenteeism, accounting for 14.7 million missed school days per year.
• Asthma affects one out of every 13 school-aged children.
• IAQ problems in schools -- the presence of mold, dust mites, cockroaches, pet dander, and certain chemicals -- can trigger asthma attacks.
• Moisture - Moisture problems in schools contribute to mold and pest problems, which can affect allergic individuals and people with asthma.
• Nitrogen Dioxide - Nitrogen dioxide has been associated with increased respiratory symptoms and student absences, even at levels within existing health standards.
• Infiltration of vehicle exhaust - like idling school buses - is another contributor to nitrogen dioxide levels.

How Does Indoor Air Quality Affect Students’ Learning?

Fact: According to the EPA, poorly maintained HVAC Systems allow dirt, dust, mold, and debris to enter the air in the work place. This increases the incidence of absenteeism by both children and staff due to sickness.

Fact: Dirty air causes respiratory illnesses, asthma, and allergies. These illnesses not only affect student learning, but test performance is reduced and staff cannot perform their teaching responsibilities as well.

Fact: According the National Association of School Nurses and the American Lung Association, the use of inhalers in schools due to asthma

has increased to over 9 million children under age 14, which is about 3 children per classroom in the United States (2004).

Fact: Asthma is the number one chronic illness causing school absenteeism. It accounts for nearly 20 million school days lost annually, or an average of 7.6 days per year missed for each student with asthma (Rodehurst, 2003). The normal average is 3 days per year missed by students due to illness. (Tellijohann, Dake, & Price, 2004).

Fact: Exposure to indoor pollutants and inadequate management of indoor temperature and relative humidity can affect student, teacher, and staff health and performance.

Fact: Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can cause illnesses requiring school absences and can cause acute health symptoms that decrease performance while at school

Student Performance is Increased with improved IAQ!

The Green Grannies & Friends for Clean Air & Healthy Kids support the use of the Environmental Protection Agency's [EPA] "Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools."

Below are links to two short videos of an urban school "IAQ Tools for Schools" walk through.

The videos will provide a little more understanding of the importance of indoor air quality and children's health.


Tools for Schools: Indoor Air Quality Walkthrough - Urban Part 1




Tools for Schools: Indoor Air Quality Walkthrough - Urban Part 2

Anyone can order a FREE "EPA Tools For Schools Program Kit" by going to:

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

Thank you, good health to you. and many blessings.
Rhonda Paglia, co-ordinator
Green Grannies & Friends for Clean Air & Healthy Kids