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Maryann Suero, PhD US Environmental Protection Agency suero.maryann@epa 312-886-9077

Maryann Suero, PhD US Environmental Protection Agency suero.maryann@epa.gov 312-886-9077. Part 1: Issues in School Environmental Health. Objectives: To. Understand impacts of environmental exposures on productivity, learning Understand major environmental exposures in schools.

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Maryann Suero, PhD US Environmental Protection Agency suero.maryann@epa 312-886-9077

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  1. Maryann Suero, PhD US Environmental Protection Agency suero.maryann@epa.gov 312-886-9077 Part 1: Issues in School Environmental Health

  2. Objectives: To Understand impacts of environmental exposures on productivity, learning Understand major environmental exposures in schools

  3. What’s the difference? Toxicity Exposure How much? How bad? TIMING RISK Lifestage

  4. Health Gains from Improved IAQ Source Control Moisture Control Increased Outside Air

  5. Proactive Maintenance in SchoolsSchools without a major maintenance backlog- Higher average daily attendance, 4 - 5 per 1,000 - Lower annual dropout rate, 10 - 13 per 1,000

  6. Major Issues in Schools • Asbestos • Asthma triggers • Bus / Vehicle Idling • Carbon Monoxide • Chemical Management • Drinking Water • Energy Efficiency • Indoor Air Quality / Ventilation • Lead • Mercury • Mold / Moisture Control • PCBs in Caulk & Light Ballasts • Pesticides & Pest Management • Radon • UV Radiation • Waste Reduction

  7. Lead Poisoning

  8. Percentage of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels (over 10 ug/dL) by Race Represents about 3,500 children African American Asian White Hispanic (Data from Illinois - 2010) Another 38,000 children above 5 ug/dL!

  9. Lifelong Health Effects of Lead • Damage to the brain and nervous system • Behavior and learning problems (such as) • Hyperactivity • Poor impulse control • Violence • Lower IQ • Delayed growth • Other problems • Hearing • Headaches

  10. Renovate Right! • WHO: Contractors performing activities that disturb lead-based paint • WHAT: Renovation, Repair, Painting projects • WHERE: Child-occupied facilities (e.g. homes, child care facilities, and schools) built before 1978 • HOW: Must be certified and must Notify and Follow Specific Work Practices to prevent lead contamination including • Contain the work area • Minimize dust • Clean up thoroughly http://www.epa.gov/oppt/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf

  11. Asthma

  12. Childhood Asthma in the US

  13. We really don’t know yet Lots of theories Some genetic component ETS exposure in very small children What Causes Asthma? What Causes Asthma Attacks? • Poor medical control • Poor environmental control Trigger

  14. Allergic Dust mites Molds Pollen Animal dander Pests Non-Allergic Tobacco smoke Pesticides Wood /coal smoke Ozone Particulate matter Common Asthma Triggers

  15. Important to Control Asthma Triggers • Room by Room • Individual by individual Not everyone has the same environmental asthma triggers Control the most common asthma triggers in your school

  16. Reduce Asthma Triggers • Vent sources of particles and humidity (kept ideally between 30-50%) • Use finishes / furnishings • Easy to clean • Don’t harbor pests • Use IPM(more to come!)

  17. Key to Mold Control is Moisture Control • Mold can’t be eliminated from indoors…will always be spores • Don’t need to test for mold • If you see it • If you smell it • You’ve got it • You need to get rid of it • Not just a nuisance • Health effects • Structural damage • $$$$$$$$ • Dry up moisture within 48 hours

  18. Pests / Pesticides

  19. Pests Dust mites Cockroach allergen Rodent urine Pesticides Carriers Fragrances Active ingredients Pests / PesticidesCan Trigger Asthma Attacks or Cause Other Health Effects

  20. Potential health effects of pesticides depend on the type of pesticide • Some may affect the nervous system • Others may irritate the skin or eyes • Some pesticides may be carcinogens • Others may affect the hormone or endocrine system in the body

  21. To Reduce Pests and Pesticide UseIntegrated Pest Management In Illinois, the key component of IPM people remember is notification IPM is MORE than notification It’s about behaviors and actions that prevent pests • Look for them • Dry them out • Starve them out • Keep them out • Least amount of least toxic pesticides, when needed

  22. Carbon Monoxide (CO) – A Silent Killer Product of Incomplete Combustion • From appliances that use fuels e.g. • Stoves • Furnaces • Gas heaters • Cars • Health Effects • Flu-like symptoms, headaches, nausea… • Claims several hundred lives each year in the US • Good ventilation and appliance condition key to preventing hazardous levels of carbon monoxide • Impossible to see or smell, CO detector or alarm is the only way to determine exposure

  23. Overview of Radon • Naturally occurring radioactive gas • Ubiquitous in nature • Undetectable with 5 senses • Can have high concentrations indoors

  24. Why we Care about Radon • #1 Cause of Lung Cancer for Non-Smokers • #2 Cause of Lung Cancer in the US • 21,000 Lung Cancer Deaths/Year in US • Cause of more than half US Radiation Exposure • Radon risk ~8X greater for smokers

  25. EPA Action Levels • Action Level (4 pCi/L) • Consider Action (2-4 pCi/L) • Greatest exposure especially in rooms below grade

  26. Illinois Radon Potential

  27. New IL Law Requires Radon Testing in Day Care Centers Must test as part of the initial application or license renewal process More at http://www.radon.illinois.gov/

  28. School Radon Screening Program • Illinois School Code allows school district employees to complete an online training course approved by IEMA in order to perform screening measurements in their district school buildings • After successfully completing the Radon Measurement course, employee receives certification

  29. Mercury Mercury • Household products contain mercury • Replace with non-mercury alternatives when feasible, especially THERMOMETERS • If you have mercury-containing products, know how to clean up spill properly • No vacuum • No broom • No drains • Get help if larger amount than what’s in 1 fever thermometer

  30. Sensible Steps to Improving Chemical Management in Schools

  31. Case 1 HS custodian found students mixing chemicals in a bottle Bottle exploded, releasing gas Custodian became ill, vomited 12 students / 3 school staff treated for respiratory problems 1,640 persons evacuated for 5 hours while hazardous materials team cleaned and ventilated the school

  32. Case 2 • Custodian entered a MS science storage area, became unconscious • Someone had spilled a solution of 37% formaldehyde in room and failed to tell anyone • Fortunately the custodian was rescued

  33. Case 3 Student took ~ ½ cup mercury from HS science lab, sold some to friends Contaminated classrooms, gymnasium, cafeteria Contamination went beyond school HS was closed for 35 days Cleanup costs were about $1,500,000

  34. Where Do You Find Chemicals? • Maintenance Areas • Custodial Storage • Lawn care sheds • Vocational Shops • Science Laboratories • Art Classrooms • Offices • Health unit

  35. Coming Up Approaches, Solutions and Resources for School Environmental Health

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