'Sick school buildings' on rise, report finds

August 19, 2002

08/18/2002 - Updated 08:37 PM ET

By , USA TODAY

A surge in construction of schools and renovations of old ones has led to a

host of new " sick school building " ailments, says a report issued today by

Lois Gibbs, executive director of the Center for Health, Environment and

Justice. Gibbs is best known as the young housewife/activist who in 1978

uncovered the toxic neighborhood in Love Canal, N.Y.

Creating Safe Learning Zones: The ABC's of Healthy Schools is from Child

Proofing Our Communities, a national coalition of environmental health

organizations. It's a how-to resource for parents, PTAs and educators on

detecting, avoiding and fixing toxins and contaminants in schools.

" Parents just aren't aware that no laws govern school environments, and they

believe schools are all safe, " Gibbs says. " No one would put arsenic in

playgrounds and pesticides in classrooms, right? "

But that's exactly what's happening, the report says. Trendy new

pressure-treated wooden playgrounds may leak arsenic into the soil; lush

carpeting may hide mold, chemicals and pesticides coming from regular

cleaning treatments; brand-new schools may be built on contaminated lots.

The results, according to the report: kids with breathing problems, rashes

and attention deficits that often disappear during summer break.

But with powerful pull with school boards, parents can have a huge impact in

making sure schools are safe. The first stop, Gibbs says: the local hardware

store, where test kits for radon, mold, lead and arsenic are often available

for less than $10. " Parents need to see that there are risks, but there are

very easy things that can be done to reduce " them, Gibbs says. Problems

often can be solved simply, she says. Schools, for example, can replace

carpet with tile floors. Parents can recognize hazards and put together a

plan.

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