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The California Portable Classrooms Study

California Environmental Protection Agency. Air Resources Board. The California Portable Classrooms Study. Public Workshops Conducted by: California Air Resources Board & California Department of Health Services February 2001. Introduction.

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The California Portable Classrooms Study

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  1. California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board The California Portable Classrooms Study Public Workshops Conducted by: California Air Resources Board & California Department of Health Services February 2001

  2. Introduction • Governor’s FY 2000-2001 Budget; AB 2872 (Shelley, 2000), California HSC Sec. 39619.6 • Jointly conducted by the Air Resources Board (ARB) and the Department of Health Services (DHS) • Research Triangle Institute (RTI), an independent scientific research organization, will assist with major field work and conduct data analysis • Final report due to the California Legislature in June 2002.

  3. Purpose • Examine environmental health conditions in portable classrooms; • Identify any potentially unhealthful environmental conditions, and their extent; and • In consultation with stakeholders, identify and recommend actions that can be taken to remedy and prevent those conditions.

  4. Why Conduct This Study? Poor environmental conditions can harm children’s health and reduce their ability to learn. • Reported problems include: elevated levels of formaldehyde and other gaseous pollutants; inadequate ventilation; mold growth; odors; and excessive temperature and noise. • Children and teachers spend a significant portion of their time in classrooms during the school day.

  5. How Results Will Be Used ARB and DHS will use the results to: • assess the potential for adverse health impacts from unhealthful environmental conditions and pollutants that may be present in portable classrooms; • in consultation with other agencies and interested stakeholders, identify effective actions that can be taken to remedy or prevent any unhealthful conditions found; • prepare and deliver a report to the California Legislature in June 2002.

  6. Preliminary Study Design Over the next 15 months, the study will be conducted in three phases: • Phase I, mail survey • Phase IIA, the pilot field study • Phase IIB, the main field study

  7. Phase I - Mail Survey • Survey questionnaires mailed to selected school facility managers and teachers at 1000 schools - March and April 2001 • Formaldehyde samplers also sent to each school

  8. Phase IIA - Pilot Field Study • Test all monitors, procedures, and protocols planned for use in the main field study • Two schools, three portable classrooms and one traditional classroom per school • Perform an on-site assessment of the schools • Summer 2001

  9. Phase IIB - Main Field Study • August 2001 through March 2002 • Throughout California • Measure indoor and outdoor levels of pollutants in 60 schools, three portable classrooms and one traditional classroom per school • Conduct on-site assessment of ventilation systems, noise, and other factors.

  10. Data To Be Collected Air pollutants will be measured inside classrooms, and outdoors at each school: • formaldehyde and related chemicals • volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene and toluene • carbon monoxide • particulate matter • biological contaminants such as mold and allergens Floor and carpet dust samples will also be collected for residual pesticides, PCBs, PAHs, metals.

  11. Data To Be Collected - cont’d On-site assessment conducted by a technician, including: • inspection and testing of the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) • temperature, relative humidity • noise levels and lighting • carbon dioxide • proximity to busy roadways or local industry • visible mold, water stains • odors

  12. Schedule • February 2001 — Stakeholder workshops, State agency meeting, RTI kick-off meeting • March - May 2001 — Conduct Phase I, mail survey • Summer 2001 — Conduct Phase IIA, pilot field study • August 2001 through March 2002 — Conduct Phase IIB, the main field study, and analyze data • April-May 2002 — Review draft report, hold stakeholder workshops, develop recommendations • June 2002— Submit Final Report to the Legislature

  13. For More Information For information updates, see our web site at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/pcs/pcs.htm Please join the “list serv” at our web site to receive notices and announcements whenever the web site is updated.

  14. Questions, Comments, Suggestions? • Would like to obtain your input today, if possible. • Please send written comments, postmarked by March 2, to: Ms. Peggy Jenkins California Air Resources Board Research Division, 5th floor 1001 I Street P.O. Box 2815 Sacramento, CA 95812 (916) 445 - 0753 (916) 322 - 4357 (FAX)

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