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Maryland Environmental Health Network May 16, 2013

Maryland Environmental Health Network May 16, 2013 “ALL school children should be considered at elevated risk of health difficulties due solely to the unexamined or unaddressed environmental health risks in their schools and the lack of public health services for children … with

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Maryland Environmental Health Network May 16, 2013

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  1. Maryland Environmental Health Network May 16, 2013 “ALL school children should be considered at elevated risk of health difficulties due solely to the unexamined or unaddressed environmental health risks in their schools and the lack of public health services for children … with suspected exposures….” Claire L. Barnett, Executive Director Healthy Schools Network www.healthyschools.org info@healthyschools.org

  2. Federal EO 13045 on Risks to Children’s Environmental Health PB FY 14 US EPA • reduces priority/defunds regs, voluntary office programs for schools • +$1M and FTEs at EPA Office of Children’s Health, state grants • Federal guideline on siting • Federal guideline for state agencies on school EH • EPA and CDC/ATSDR: PEHSUs • CDC: cuts Asthma, Lead, DASH, SHPPS • ED: Green Ribbon Schools Award Children are more vulnerable to environmental hazards than adults. Asthma is a leading work-related illness for custodians and teachers; leading cause of absenteeism HS2015 Indoor exposures are 100 to 1,000 x more intense than outdoor and are impairing health and learning… Prevent exposures. IOM 2011

  3. What are the common issues? • Children are not little adults • EO 13045, AAP, EPA, CDC, NIEHS, WHO • More vulnerable and cannot protect themselves • Compelled to be in school • Out number adults in MD schools by 8:1 • Schools are not little offices • 95% all occupants are women and children • Densely occupied • Multiple processes and chemical uses in one facility • Poor facility management; no consistent measures; decades of neglect • EPA: ~50% with IAQ problems

  4. HS2015: Data and Policy Summary

  5. Renovation v. Health Solutions: DESIGN-OUT common problems (dry, clean, quiet, easy to clean, maintain, good IAQ, control dust and particulates) SWING SCHOOLS (Bethesda) ADOPT PREVENT EXPOSURE PROTOCOL A- public meeting; public plans @bldg B- include plan in A&E/Contract bid; extend to subs; schedule; noise control; C&D debris; life safety; ventilation; security; protect new building materials C- complaint response system D- Low emission interiors; air out

  6. Maryland What are the most common environmental health complaints? What are the common causes? What are the effects on children? What state/local agency tracks or responds to parent reports of children’s suspected exposures?

  7. Educate and Celebrate Healthy IAQ/IEQ at School! In partnership with US EPA and CDC NCEH/ATSDR with Coalition for Healthier Schools and with CEFPI, NSBA, NASBE, ASBO, AASA, NASN, AAFA, NEA HIN, APHA, NEHA, AFT, Moms Clean Air Force, and more local, state, and national groups, schools, and advocates 11thAnnual Day of Public Awareness 34 Partners More than 50 voluntary activities nationwide in 17 states and 34 cities

  8. Healthy Schools Network, Inc. … for children, health, environment, education, and communities … since 1995 … … information and education, research, advocacy, and coalition-building for parents, personnel, and organizations … www.healthyschools.org www.cleaningforhealthyschools.org www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org Get networked: Coalition for Healthier Schools Annual meeting, conference calls, technical assistance

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