Guidelines for State School Environmental Health Programs

1. Guidelines for State School Environmental Health Programs EISA Sec. 504

2. EISA Sec. 504 • EPA, DoED, and other relevant agencies shall issue Voluntary guidelines • For use by states in developing and implementing an environmental health program for schools that….

3. Voluntary Guidelines will... • Take into account the status and findings of Federal initiatives with respect to: • Health • Safety • Productivity • Disability and special needs

4. Voluntary Guidelines will... • Take into account relevant tools • Survey existing research and studies related to high performance Green Buildings

5. Voluntary Guidelines will... • Take into account • A. Environmental problems including… • Lead in Drinking water • Lead from materials and products • Asbestos • Radon • Mercury releases • Pollutant emissions • Any other environmental problems, contaminants, or hazardous substances that presents a risk to health of school occupants.

6. Voluntary Guidelines will... Also take into account • Natural day lighting • Ventilation choices and technologies • Heating and cooling choices and Technologies • Moisture control and mold • Maintenance, cleaning, and pest control activities • Acoustics • Other issues related to health, comfort, productivity, and performance of occupants of school facilities

7. Voluntary Guidelines will... • Provide Technical Assistance on • Siting • Design • Management • Operation of school facilities

8. Voluntary Guidelines will... • Address collaboration with federally funded pediatric environmental health centers to assist in on-site school environmental investigations

9. Voluntary Guidelines will... • Help states make the most efficient use of available resources to help communities improve school environmental health

10. Voluntary Guidelines will... • Take into account special vulnerabilities of children in low-income and minority communities to exposures from contaminants, hazardous substances, and pollutant emissions.

11. Hurdles • Cost associated with improvements • Financially strapped schools • Limited expertise and staff • Focused on other capital improvements • Other major priorities – “improve student performance”

12. Goal • Develop reasonable guidelines for state school environmental health programs that support: • Multiple existing state and community school environmental health programs and goals • A safe, healthy and productive environment for children and staff

13. Discovery Phase • Establish EPA workgroup with DoEd and HHS participation • Meet/Attend/Participate – • States working on school environmental health issues • NGO discussions related to potential school environmental health guidelines • Identify existing potential models • State school environmental health programs • Related models (e.g. Safe & Drug Free Schools, School Climate Model, Coordinated School Health Programs)

14. Draft Framework • Develop a straw conceptual framework • Propose a reasonable path forward for States • Consult with Federal, state, and NGOs to develop and refine concept • Important elements to include: • benefits – immediate and future • case studies • incentives for state action • Opportunities to leverage resources • Look within EPA, HHS and DoED for opportunities to support states that initiate a school environmental health program • Evaluate current epa.gov/schools and HealthySEAT content to determine most appropriate format for conveying technical and policy program content to states

15. Need Your Input • What are the most important things EPA could do in the guidelines to help states and schools? • How can EPA help build bridges across state environmental, health and education agencies? • What should EPA avoid doing?