Environmental Issues – Page 13 – Education Facilities Clearinghouse

Mould Assessment in Indoor Environments – Review of Guidelines and Evidence

campusMay 21, 2014

National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (2010).

This report provides concepts on how to evaluate buildings, residences and other built environment for mould, in order to reduce the risk of exposure. The information presented in this report is based on a survey of guidelines and peer-reviewed literature; due to the lack of scientific evidence in this area, most guidelines are based on practical experience and common sense or on risk management principles. The research process and a summary of documents reviewed are presented in the appendix.

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Mould Remediation Recommendations

campusMay 21, 2014

National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (2010).

This report provides Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) with a summary of current knowledge about mould remediation. The information is based on Mould Remediation in Indoor Environments – Review of Guidelines & Evidence, a more comprehensive review of available evidence from current research papers and mould assessment guidelines commissioned by the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH).

http://www.ncceh.ca/sites/default/files/Short_Report_Mould_Assessment_Oct_2010.pdf

Earth, wind, and fire – Managing risk in today’s schools, part 1

campusMay 21, 2014

Weeks (2010). 76 (6)

Because school business officials are pushed to make difficult decisions quickly when it comes to risk management, they should be aware of the issues associated with environmental safety. School business officials are integral members of the teams that handle crises--big and small--in the school district. A crisis may be as straightforward as the possibility of leeched arsenic all over the playground or polychlorinated biphenyls in the water from the playground's drinking fountain in the Liberty School District or it could be as complex as the sprawling disaster of Hurricane Katrina. This article presents the different teams that school business officials can expect to work with and be a part of when addressing environmental risks. By working with the entire district team, being up to date on legislation, and being proactive, school business officials can manage environmental risk before it turns up in the drinking water or on the playground. [For Part 1, see EJ904678.]

http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ904678.pdf

Mould Remediation in Indoor Environments – Review of Guidelines and Evidence

campusMay 21, 2014

National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (2010).

This report provides mould remediation recommendations to Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) with the intention of making living conditions in homes better for the occupants. The mould remediation recommendations are based on available evidence from current research papers and mould assessments guidelines.

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Managing Radon in Schools

campusMay 21, 2014

United States Environmental Protection Agency (2010). (EPA 402-F-10-001)

The Environmental Protection Agency outlined an introduction of simple steps to test for radon and reduce risks to occupants if high radon levels are found through the Framework for Effect School IAQ Management.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/pdfs/kit/managing_radon.pdf

School Indoor Air Quality – State Policy Strategies for Maintaining Healthy Learning Environments

campusMay 21, 2014

Environmental Law Institute (2009).

This report highlights the important role that can be played by state policy in ensuring that all schools address basic IAQ issues as part of their ongoing operations and maintenance activities. Numerous school districts around the country are already doing so, and some have pioneered new programs and approaches to addressing indoor environmental quality in their facilities. In many communities, school staff, employee unions and parents have advocated effectively for, and worked with school officials to establish, school IAQ programs. Yet carefully designed and implemented policies at the state level can provide flexibility while helping to ensure that minimum IAQ management practices will be implemented throughout a state.

http://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/eli-pubs/d19_06.pdf

Safe schools – Identifying environmental threats to children attending public schools in North Carolina.

campusMay 21, 2014

Salvesen, D., Zambito, P., Hamstead, Z. Wilson, B. (2008).

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which public schools in North Carolina are located close to environmental hazards and whether state policies for siting schools adequately address the potential threats posed by such hazards. We also sought to demonstrate the usefulness of GIS technology and existing data sources to map environmental hazards that are in close proximity to schools. We relied primarily on secondary data sources that were readily accessible from the web, including EPA’s Envirofacts database.

http://www.ie.unc.edu/cscd/other_docs/schools_final_report-12-30-08.pdf

Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings

campusMay 21, 2014

Environmental Protection Agency (2008). (EPA 402-K-01-001)

Concern about indoor exposure to mold has been increasing as the public becomes aware that exposure to mold can cause a variety of health effects and symptoms, including allergic reactions. This document presents guidelines for the remediation/cleanup of mold and moisture problems in schools and commercial buildings; these guidelines include measures designed to protect the health of building occupants and remediators. It has been designed primarily for building managers, custodians, and others who are responsible for commercial building and school maintenance.

EPA_Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings

Reducing Pesticide Exposure at Schools

campusMay 21, 2014

Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007).

The Department of Health & Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention present a fact sheet summarizing the role of pesticides in schools. Furthermore, the fact sheets outlines recommendations for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strates which can be more cost-efficient than traditional pest control options.

Dept of Health & Human Svcs_Reducing Pesticide Exposure at Schools

Green buildings – Benefits to health, the environment, and the bottom line – Hearings before the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, testimony of Claire L. Barnett

campusMay 21, 2014

Claire L. Barnett (2007).

Green buildings: Benefits to health, the environment, and the bottom line: Hearings before the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Barnett_TestimonyHearingsbeforetheUSSenate