Maryann Suero, PhD
US Environmental
Protection Agency
suero.maryann@epa.gov
312-886-9077
Part 2: Improving School Environmental Health
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Objectives: To
• Understand rationale for integrated approach
to improving school environments
• Understand benefits of periodic school
assessment
• Gain skills to make informed decisions for
reducing toxic exposures using evidencebased, no-cost / low cost integrated
strategies that will ensure schools are
healthier and safer
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Indoor Environmental Concerns that Could
Cause Bigger Problems
• Moisture Intrusion
• Chemical Mishandling
• Building Materials of Concern
• Building Maintenance Issues
• Occupants’ Influences
• Outside Influences
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Challenges for Improving
Environmental Health in Schools
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Schools may be unaware of issues
Lack funds for remediation
Vulnerable populations; high population density
No clear authority or guidelines
Hazardous chemicals, “unsophisticated” users
Emerging issues
Many competing priorities
Can’t do everything at once
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Consequences of Unresolved
Environmental Concerns
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Moisture / Water Intrusion
Mold
Asthma and Allergy
Exacerbation
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Moisture / Water Intrusion
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Structural
Damage
Structural
Damage
Pests
Lead
Poisoning
Fire
Injuries
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Pesticide
Pests
Asthma and
Allergy
Exacerbation
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Pesticide
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Structural
Damage
Moisture
Mold
Asthma and
Allergy
Exacerbation
Courtesy of CDC
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
“Ounce of Prevention” Approach
Environmental Management System (EMS)
• A way to assess and continually improve the
environment
• Work in a stepwise fashion to address learning
environment in an integrated and
comprehensive way
• Use existing tools
• Build on existing efforts
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
12
Model School
EMS
For Continuous
Improvement
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
13
Holistic Approaches to
Healthy Learning Environments
Primary prevention
Environmental management system
approach
Healthier Learning Environments
Healthier, More Productive Students & Staff
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14
Focus on Primary Prevention
• Most hazards can be avoided through good
maintenance based on common sense principles
– Ensure good ventilation
– Control moisture, reduce water damage
– Properly vent combustion appliances
– Consciously work to avoid or reduce exposure to toxics
• Include injury prevention / other hazards
– Slip / trip / falls
– Electrical
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
15
Model School EH Program
http://epa.gov/schools/ehguidelines/
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Some Benefits of a School EMS
• Reduce Hazards to students, faculty, staff,
visitors in schools
• Reduce Liability (reduce insurance costs???)
• Increase Environmental Stewardship
• Improve Communications
• Improve Relationships
– Students / Parents / Administration
– Faculty / Staff / Administration
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
17
What Might a School EMS Look Like?
• Develop an environmental policy
• Self-audit / assessment
• Use a pollution prevention approach
• Training / awareness / competence
What gets measured, gets managed
• On-going evaluation / improvement
• Improve communications
What gets assessed, gets addressed
• One step at a time!!!!!
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
18
Benefits of Periodic Facility Assessment
• Identify and correct hazards before they result in:
–
–
–
–
–
productivity and performance losses
school closures
costly building clean-ups
regulatory enforcement actions
community concern and media attention
Active
• Collect school- and hazard- specific data necessary
to make a case for needed renovation, repair and
maintenance dollars
• Demonstrate your commitment to health and
safety
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
19
Why assess?
• Identify areas / issues that have
improved
• Identify areas / issues where
improvement is needed
What gets assessed gets addressed
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
20
Some School EH Assessment Tools
Tool
Appropriate
for
From
Healthy School District
Environment
Assessment Tool
(Healthy SEAT)
US EPA
www.epa.gov/schools/healthyseat/
Indoor Air
District
Quality Tools for School
Schools
Classroom
US EPA
www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/
Sensible Steps
District
School
Classroom
US EPA
www.epa.gov/region10/pdf/childrenshe
alth/quick_assessment_checklist_for_sch
ools.pdf
Healthy Schools
= Healthy
Learning
School
IL
Department
of Public
Health
app.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/healthysc
hools/
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Virtual Assessment
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Building Air
Intake
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Wrap Up
“Ounce of Prevention” Approach
Environmental Management System
• Carry out Periodic Assessments
• Work in a stepwise fashion to address school environment
in an integrated and comprehensive way
• Use / adapt existing tools
• Build on existing efforts
• Reach out to USEPA; we can provide on-site training,
non-regulatory technical assistance
• One step at a time!
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
• Pillar One: Net zero environmental impact
• Pillar Two: The school improves the health and
performance of students and staff
– An integrated school environmental health program
– High standards of nutrition, fitness, and quantity of
quality outdoor time
• Pillar Three: 100% of school’s graduates are
environmentally and sustainability literate
Apply to ISBE, more at http://www.isbe.net/green_ribbon/
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments
Maryann Suero, PhD
US Environmental
Protection Agency
suero.maryann@epa.gov
312-886-9077
Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments