Boston Public Health Commission
School Inspection Training
by Damon Chaplin
Table of Contents
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Introduction
Purpose
History
Background
Definitions
Equipment
Scope of Inspection
Inspection
Post Inspection
Data retrieval and collection
Reporting
Introduction
-Purpose
The purpose of this training is to provide instruction to qualified environmental health professional within the indoor air quality unit of the
Boston Public Health Commission and/or it’s successors towards monitoring the quality of air in all public school buildings within the City of
Boston in accordance with mandates listed in the City of Boston Local Ordinance 1999 c.10 as well as to insure schools are complying with
state IPM reporting regulations and using best practices for Integrated Pest Management(IPM).
-History
In 1996, the City of Boston Counsel passed an Indoor air quality ordinance sponsored by Counselor Maura Hennigan. This ordinance resulted
in an unfunded mandate requiring the local public health department to conduct indoor air quality inspections twice a year in all
public school buildings and from time to time public buildings by request of the officer have charge of city owned or occupied
buildings.
IPM
The Act Protecting Children and Families from Harmful Pesticides (Act), Chapter 85 of the Acts of 2000, took effect on November 1, 2000. The Act
amends the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act (Chapter 132B of the MGL) and applies to the use of pesticides in schools, day care centers, and
school-age childcare programs.
The act requirement are to:
1.)prevent unnecessary exposure of children to pesticides
2.)promote lower risk alternatives to pesticides
3.)ensure notification to the school community
4.) prevent and address causes of pest problems effectively
What schools must do:
1.)Submit Indoor/Outdoor IPM plan to MDAR?
2.)Insure individuals applying pesticides on the school property hold valid pesticide licenses?
3.)Insure pesticides used are allowed by law such as baits, gels and dusts
4.)Insure school does not use pesticides that are prohibited by the law
Introduction
Integrated Pest Management (Cont.)
www.massdfa.org/cpa/cpa.htm
Integrated Pest Management (Inacted Nov. 12, 2000)
IPM- Is a systematic strategy for managing pests which considers prevention,
avoidance, monitoring and suppression. Where chemical pesticides are necessary,
a preference is given to materials and methods which maximize public safety and
reduce environmental risk (Massachusetts IPM Council's ).
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LEGALITIES AND LIABILITIES RELATED TO IPM IN MASSACHUSETTS:
The implementation of IPM programs is required by Massachusetts Act Protecting Children and Families from
Harmful Pesticides. Pursuant to section 15 of this act, violators can be subject to fines.
Ultimately, the new legislation intent is to encourage the use of integrated pest management (IPM) and minimize
pesticide exposure especially to children and employees.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
Those persons who perform, contract, and/or administratively oversee pest management services for schools, day
care centers, and school-aged child care programs play significant roles in the implementation of these new
changes. Also, the new changes include others such as utility companies and state agencies.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
Introduction
City of Boston Local Ordinance 1996 c.10
7-14
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INDOOR AIR QUALITY.
7-14.1 Indoor Air Quality Unit.
There is hereby established within the Environmental Health Office of the Department of Health and Hospitals or its successors an Indoor Air Quality Unit which is charged with
monitoring the quality of air (a) in buildings to which the public has access which are not subject to monitoring by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for air
quality standards substantially as contemplated by its Proposed Indoor Air Quality Rule (59FR15968), (b) in all public school buildings within the City, (c) in all other buildings owned or
leased by the City or any agency or instrumentality thereof (except foreclosed real estate,) and, (d) in any other structure in Boston where there is an apparent risk to health likely to be
caused or aggravated by poor air quality.
(Ord. 1996 c. 10)
7-14.2 Air Quality in School Buildings.
No less than twice each year the Indoor Air Quality Unit shall inspect each school building, and, using as guidelines the then current recommendations and standards of OSHA and the
Environmental Protection Agency, shall ensure that the air quality in each such building is appropriate to the maintenance of good health, with special regard to airborne pollutants in
concentrations harmful to children. Each inspection shall include (a) electronic environmental air quality monitoring, (b) visual inspection, (c) review of health complaint surveys, heating,
ventilation and air conditioning evaluations, building inspection records, and, (d) such other procedures as building history and inspection of similar structures suggest. In the event an
inspection shall detect a situation likely to cause ill health, the Unit shall forthwith make written record thereof and report the same to the person in charge of the building, to the
Superintendent of Schools, and to the School Committee. The Unit shall cooperate with City and school officials and employees to take appropriate action to cure the situation and
minimize adverse effect on the public health. In the event subsequent inspection, or other facts known to the Unit, indicate a failure to act with expedience toward correction of the
situation, the Unit shall give immediate report to the Board of Health and Hospitals or its successors and to the Mayor.
(Ord. 1996 c. 10)
7-14.3 Air Quality in Other Public Buildings.
The Unit shall from time to time and when requested by the officer having charge of a City owned or occupied buildings, or any other building upon request of the owner, inspect
buildings owned or leased by the City, and, using as guidelines the then current recommendation and standards of OSHA and the Environmental Protection Agency, shall ensure that the
air quality in each such building is appropriate to the maintenance of good health. Each inspection shall include (a) electronic environmental air quality monitoring, (b) visual inspection,
(c) review of health complaint surveys, heating, ventilation and air conditioning evaluations, building inspection records, and (d) such other procedures as building history and inspection
of similar structures suggest. In the event an inspection shall detect a situation likely to cause ill health, the Unit shall forthwith make written record thereof and report the same to the
person in charge of the building, and to the Mayor. The Unit shall cooperate with City officials and employees to take appropriate action to cure the situation and minimize adverse effect
on the public health. In the event subsequent inspection, or other facts known to the Unit, indicates a failure to act with expedience toward correction of the situation, the Unit shall give
immediate report to the Board of Health and Hospitals or its successors.
(Ord. 1996 c. 10)
7-14.4 Annual Report.
The Unit shall make annual report of its doings, including a listing of inspections made and any recommendations it may have for legislative action, to the Mayor, who shall convey a
copy to the City Council and to the Board of Health and Hospitals or its successors, which Board shall maintain the same as a public record.
(Ord. 1996 c. 10)
Definitions
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Leaks – This is the number of rooms that have evidence of one or more water leaks. This could
include water stains or discoloration on walls, floors, or ceiling tiles as well as active leaks where
water is present. Leaks are of concern because persistent moisture can promote mold growth as well as
encourage insect or rodent infestations.
Visible Mold Growth – Mold and mildew are often asthma triggers. Often they can look like greyblack
powder near the water-damaged areas or spots or patches of various colors. When attempting to
rid an area of mold and mildew, it is most important to find and eliminate the water source in order to
make sure the mold doesn’t grow back.
Pests – These are counts of the number of rooms visited where the inspector saw signs of pest
infestation including dead insects, insect parts, traps, rodent droppings, etc. Pests are of concern for
sanitation reasons as well as being sources of animal dander that can be an asthma or allergy trigger.
Boston Public Schools are implementing integrated pest management (IPM) plans designed to control
pests without using heavy amounts of chemical pesticides. IPM strategies include conducting pest
surveys, blocking entrances such as holes or cracks that let pests into the building and eliminating
sources of food and water (leaks, trash, food crumbs, etc.) that attract pests, and using minimal
amounts of pesticide only where necessary. BPS will be requiring community and extra curricular
school building user groups to cooperate with the plan’s implementation.
IPM Plans Available – “Yes” indicates that an IPM Plan has been submitted to the MA Department
of Food and Agriculture and is in use and available for inspection in the principal’s office.
Clutter – It is important to control clutter in the classroom as it can contribute to the buildup of dust,
hide places where mold might be growing, block ventilation, or provide places for pests to hide.
Clutter includes books or other materials placed on ventilation units, piles of loosely organized papers
or student projects, visual aids scattered around a classroom, etc.
Dust – There should be as little visible surface dust in the school as possible. Indoor dust is made up
of outdoor dust, human residues such as dry skin flakes, and material released from items within the
school. Dust mites are extremely small organisms that feed on skin flakes. Dust and dust mites are
both asthma triggers. Dust and dust mites thrive in carpeting. Damp mopping of floors or vacuuming
of carpeting should be done regularly to reduce dust. Minimizing clutter in the classroom and wet
wiping of solid surfaces can also control dust.
PM10 (Respirable Dust) – PM10 stands for particulate matter (dust and other dust-like materials) that is
Scope of Inspection
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IAQ
Pest
Mold
Dust
Clutter
Water Stains
Physical Condition
Bath Room
• PCB’s
• Et al
Equipment
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Dust Trak
Q-Trak
P.I.D
Palm/I-touch
Flash Light
Multi-gas Meter ???
Moisture Meter ???
Inspection
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Collect outdoor clearance samples
Check-in with Principles office
Check IPM Logbook
IAQ monitoring
Physical indoor inspection
Data collection
Post-Inspection
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Post outdoor clearance IAQ samples.
Data Download
Data Retrieval
Data upload
Data
• QA
• QC