Environmental Protection Agency (2012). (EPA 402-F-03-012)
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed this resource to help school districts and facility planners design the next generation of learning environments so that the school facility will help -- rather than hinder -- school in achieving their core mission of education children (1-pg resource).
Environmental Protection Agency (2012).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed these voluntary guidelines to assist states in establishing and implementing environmental health programs for K-12 schools in accordance with the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007. In carrying out this statutory mandate, EPA, along with its federal partners, developed these guidelines to help states establish the infrastructure needed to support schools in implementing school environmental health programs. The practices recommended within these guidelines can also be applied, with appropriate adaptation, to a wide range of school-related institutions, including child care and early learning centers.
Chan, T.C., & Dishman, M. (2011). 1 (1)
President Obama’s Education Blueprint of March, 2010 pinpointed safety and health conditions of school facilities as essential elements to improve school learning environment. The Blueprint concluded with increased flexibility and use of data to target health and safety needs of schools. This paper explored the current literature about school safety and health environment issues and discussed how safe and healthy school environment could be created. In addition to budget constraints, poor design, poor construction, poor supervision, poor maintenance, high abuse, high vandalism, high maintenance, and high risks are identified as challenges to school safety and health conditions. Implementation of flexibility and use of data to achieve a safe and healthy school environment for learning was also discussed.
National Education Association Health Information Network (2011).
School athletic facilities pose a special risk for spreading infectious diseases such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) because of the potential for skin-to-skin and surface-to-skin contact among students and athletes. A comprehensive cleaning program with a written protocol for infection control can help prevent the spread of pathogens (germs) that cause infectious diseases in athletic areas and throughout the entire school. It also ensures that facilities use the most appropriate products and procedures available for the task to help avoid exposing product users and other building occupants to potential health hazards.
Romeo, J. (2011). 50 (11)
Restroom technology and design in today's K-12 school environment have several points of concern for school boards as well as those who design and build them. These include the cost of materials and insuring that the restroom is design to conserve resources such as accessories and supplies. The article presents how planners and designers need to consider fixtures and products, within K-12 restrooms, as an integral part of the school's community and total school environment.
National Education Association Health Information Network (2011).
School buses are mobile environments that are prone to the spread of infectious diseases such as colds and the flu. In addition to the number of students who may introduce bacteria and viruses when they board the bus, surfaces such as the seat backs and handrails can also contribute to the further spread of germs. A comprehensive cleaning program with a written protocol for infection control can help prevent the spread of pathogens (germs) that cause infectious diseases in athletic areas and throughout the entire school. It also ensures that facilities use the most appropriate products and procedures available for the task to help avoid exposing product users and other building occupants to potential health hazards.
National Education Association Health Information Network (2011).
School cafeterias and kitchens contain numerous high-touch surfaces and little time between meal rotations, making them susceptible to the spread of infectious diseases such as colds and the flu. A comprehensive cleaning program with a written protocol for infection control can help prevent the spread of pathogens (germs) that cause infectious diseases in athletic areas and throughout the entire school. It also ensures that facilities use the most appropriate products and procedures available for the task to help avoid exposing product users and other building occupants to potential health hazards.
National Education Association Health Information Network (2011).
Every day dozens of students and staff move in and out of school classrooms, making these environments uniquely prone to the spread of infectious diseases such as colds and the flu. The presence of frequently touched surfaces such as shared desktops and keyboards, as well as other materials, puts students and staff at more risk of spreading bacteria and viruses. A comprehensive cleaning program with a written protocol for infection control can help prevent the spread of pathogens (germs) that cause infectious diseases in athletic areas and throughout the entire school. It also ensures that facilities use the most appropriate products and procedures available for the task to help avoid exposing product users and other building occupants to potential health hazards.
Environmental Protection Agency (2010).
These indoor air quality tools for schools provide guidance for managing asthma in the school environment by: 1) establishing and continuously evaluating an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management program in your school or district, 2) developing an asthma management plan in your school or district, and 3) reducing environmental asthma triggers.
Environmental Protection Agency (2010).
Substandard environmental conditions in schools, such as insufficient cleaning or inadequate ventilation, can cause serious health problems for children. Evidence continues to mount demonstrating that indoor air quality, or IAQ, directly impacts student academic performance and health.1,2 IAQ refers to those characteristics of the air in indoor environments that impact the occupants’ health, comfort and ability to perform. Taking steps to improve the IAQ of schools is critical to bettering student health and academic performance.
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