Guidelines for State
School Environmental
Health Programs
EISA Sec. 504
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….
Voluntary Guidelines will...
•
Take into account the status
and findings of Federal
initiatives with respect to:
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Health
Safety
Productivity
Disability and special needs
Voluntary Guidelines will...
• Take into account
relevant tools
– Survey existing
research and
studies related to
high performance
Green Buildings
Voluntary Guidelines will...
• Take into account
– A. Environmental problems including…
•
•
•
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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.
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
Voluntary Guidelines will...
•
Provide Technical Assistance
on
– Siting
– Design
– Management
– Operation of school
facilities
Voluntary Guidelines will...
• Address collaboration with federally funded
pediatric environmental health centers to assist in
on-site school environmental investigations
Voluntary Guidelines will...
• Help states make the most
efficient use of available
resources to help
communities improve
school environmental
health
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.
Hurdles
• Cost associated with
improvements
• Financially strapped
schools
• Limited expertise and
staff
• Focused on other capital
improvements
• Other major priorities –
“improve student
performance”
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
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)
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
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?