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New Concerns About Air Quality Near Schools

Concern about environmental risks in schools has received increased attention in recent months.  One reason is a recent series of articles by the USA Today newspaper www.usatoday.com, in early December 2008 that reported potentially dangerous levels of toxic chemical in air samples around schools near industrial facilities in 34 states.  Schools in Pennsylvania and Ohio were particularly featured due to the extensive testing done in those locations.  Among the toxic chemical found at levels above EPA exposure thresholds and which are thought to significantly increase the risk of health effects, were chromium, benzene, naphthalene, butadiene, manganese, nickel, among many others. 

In addition to direct air sampling in selected schools, the newspaper, in cooperation with Johns Hopkins University used EPA computer models to track the pathways and projected concentrations of toxic chemical released by industrial companies. The model ranked 127,800 public, private and parochial schools on health hazards of chemical likely to be in the air outside the schools.  The results suggest a widespread and largely unaddressed problem.  433 schools that were ranked the worst are located in 170 cities in 34 states from the east coast to the west.

While we expect this report to prompt public outrage and possible responses by the USEPA and state governments, local school districts must take the initiative to push for action.  This may include grassroots organizing, local government involvement to lobby for state and federal government action, or hiring private environmental consultants to conduct appropriate studies and generate the data necessary to understand the true level of risk and initiate preventive action.

GSE currently works with a number of school districts to address air quality and related issues.  Of course, poor outside air quality can easily contaminate indoor air through normal air exchange (through doors, windows, ventilation intakes, etc.) between the indoor and outdoor environments.  In addition, numerous sources of indoor air contamination exist in schools and other public building including, microbial contamination, improperly functioning heating and cooling systems, radon, office equipment, hazardous chemicals in laboratories and maintenance areas, pesticides, asbestos, lead, among many others.  If you have concerns about air quality in or around your school, feel free to call GSE for expert advice and assistance.

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