SHASA staging forum on indoor air quality at College

December 22, 2002

78996 & rfi=6

December 12, 2002

SHASA staging forum on indoor air quality at

JO C. GOODE

SMITHFIELD -- College will be the setting and applications are being

accepted for an upcoming forum on indoor air quality and how it affects

schools. Sponsored by the School Health and Safety Association (SHASA) in

North field, the day-long program will be held Jan. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2

p.m. at .

Participants will have an opportunity to hear experts on issues concerning

the importance of cleaning up the air inside our schools, said ette

Hamilton-Kell, SHASA president and event organizer.

The cost is $20 per person and includes lunch and a " Tools for Schools " kit

from the Environmental Protection Agency. Registration is by e-mailing SHASA

at Info@....

Speakers include: Dr. , Harvard University epidemiologist;

Eugene Benoit from the EPA; Morin, Brown University, and

Hamilton of Occuhealth.

The state Department of Health, American Lung Association and American

Cancer Society are also participating and will have materials and staff to

address various health-related topics.

After mailing invitations to school superintendents, nurses and facilities

managers at every school district in the state, Hamilton-Kell said, " The

response is good so far. The topic of mold and its effects has been in the

news quite a bit lately, causing school districts to take notice and try to

find ways to eliminate potential problems within their schools. "

The purpose of the discussions will be to educate others to the dangers of

not addressing this serious health issue that causes high rates of

absenteeism, respiratory infections, sinusitis and asthma, Hamilton-Kell

said. More importantly, she added, it compromises the health of children.

" Anyone who has a child with a diagnosis of asthma or who suspects that a

school environment could be causing health problems should attend this

forum, Hamilton-Kell said. " We want as many people involved as possible if

we are going to solve these problems. "

SHASA was founded in 2000 by a group of citizens to address indoor air

quality issues at North field Elementary School. Since then, the group

has received statewide recognition for its efforts to advocate for children'

s health, Hamilton-Kell said.

©The Call 2002

Recommended Posts