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/
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment