Causes of Indoor Air Quality Problems in Schools Call and Get the Report 1-800-553-6847

March 31, 1999

ONE IN FIVE SCHOOLS HAS POOR INDOOR AIR: Why can't ny stay awake in

class . . . or stop wheezing? Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) at school may be

the culprit. A January 1999 report from Oak Ridge National Lab noted that

20% of U.S. elementary and secondary schools have IAQ problems. It

summarizes the science and offers prevention and mitigation tips. Children

are more susceptible to IAQ health risks than adults, and growing asthma

among kids is a major cause of absence. Not only may lead, radon,

formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, pesticides, carbon dioxide, and

carbon monoxide be problems, but molds and mildews can cause serious

allergic reactions. Pollutants may interfere with learning by causing

drowsiness, headaches, and a lack of concentration. New school construction

is an opportunity to prevent IAQ problems. Has your school district checked

for problems and addressed them? Check with local American Lung Assn.

chapters and PTAs. Download the report or ask for " Causes of Indoor Air

Quality Problems in Schools " from NTIS, 800-553-6847. Charlene Bayer,

Georgia Tech, 404-894-5361. Ask for the " Tools for Schools Action Kit " from

the EPA/EHC IAQ Hotline, 800-438-4318.

SOMETHING IN THE AIR? EDF TO POST SUPPRESSED DATA: The Environmental Defense

Fund plans to post on its web site within a few weeks controversial

estimates of people's cumulative exposure to 148 toxic air pollutants. It is

the first geographically detailed estimate of exposure to air toxics, which

went largely unregulated before 1990. The database, expected to be on-line

by Earth Day (April 22), will allow reporters to estimate toxic air

pollution exposure -- with cancer risks and a comparison to EPA exposure

standards -- for particular zip codes and census tracts. EPA has published a

national summary of the data (with caveats). The agency killed plans to

publish local data when the U.S. Conference of Mayors complained that

estimates were based on modeling of conditions in 1990, not current

monitoring (1996 data due out later this year). EPA and the mayors note the

accuracy of models is limited and that progress may have been made in many

cities since 1990. But enviros say estimates fit real-world data fairly

well. Bill Pease, EDF, 510-658-8008. McCarty or Cullen, U.S.

Conference of Mayors, 202-861-6711.

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