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KEEPING STUDENTS SAFE: PROTECTING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS

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Keeping Students Safe: Protecting Environmental Health
in Schools

Speaker details (PDF, 34 KB)
Resources (PDF, 29 KB)

In April 2006, school facilities and maintenance directors and staff, risk managers, public health professionals and other school staff from school districts around Puget Sound attended a half-day workshop to hear local experts share how they are dealing with the issues of indoor air quality, low or non-toxic cleaning, and integrated pest management (IPM).

Conference Outline & Presentations

Welcome
Ken Armstrong, Program Administrator, Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County. speaker details


Protecting Children’s Environmental Health
Steven G. Gilbert, Ph.D., D.A.B.T., Director and Founder of the Institute of Neurotoxicology and Neurological Disorders (INND). speaker details

This overview focused on why children are especially susceptible to environmental health risks and how some of these risks may be present in school buildings as a result of maintenance and cleaning practices (PowerPoint presentation).

The Health Effects of Common Chemicals (PDF, 352 KB)


Indoor Air Quality
Dave Blake, Indoor Air Specialist, Northwest Clean Air Agency. speaker details

Using visual examples and case studies, Dave Blake discussed the steps involved in an IAQ walk-through evaluation, common problems that emerge, and practical solutions districts can take to remedy problems typically encountered. He also presented recent asthma statistics and methods of asthma trigger control in school environments. Website: www.nwcleanair.org/aqPrograms/indoorAir.htm


Healthier Approaches to Maintenance and Cleaning
Panel members discussed what schools can do to incorporate healthier maintenance and cleaning practices without additional staff or funding. Speakers brought their extensive experience to this discussion of innovative and safe cleaning techniques, essential elements of an indoor environmental program, and environmentally friendly purchasing options.

Gary Jefferis, Director of Maintenance and Operations, Everett School District. speaker details

This account describes how the Everett School District addressed a mystifying environmental problem at one of its schools and describes how it went on to establish a successful management structure to avoid such problems in the future. PowerPoint Presentation

Colin MacRae, Environmental and Safety Coordinator, Bellevue School District. speaker details

When school personnel reported reoccurring health problems, Colin MacRae began investigating environmental issues associated with carpets in school buildings. He researched safe cleaning techniques and developed tests to determine hazards that might be contained in carpets. The Bellevue School District has implemented innovative green carpet-cleaning practices applying his research.


Managing Pests Without Hazardous Pesticides
Panel members discussed what schools can do to incorporate healthier maintenance and cleaning practices without additional staff or funding. Speakers brought their extensive experience to this discussion of innovative and safe cleaning techniques, essential elements of an indoor environmental program, and environmentally friendly purchasing options.

Mike Currie, Facilities Director, Bainbridge Island School District. speaker details

Integrated vegetation and pest management policy. Web site: http://www.bainbridge.wednet.edu/policies2/

Integrated Pest Management and Policy 6520: Hazardous Materials. Web site: www.bainbridge.wednet.edu/policies2/

Liesl Zappler, Gardener, Seattle School District. speaker details

Lisa Niehaus, Health and Environmental Investigator, Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County. speaker details

IPM Resources (pdf)


King County Green Schools Program
This brief overview described the steps toward becoming a King County Green School. The Green Schools Program helps schools and school districts to initiate or expand conservation practices and reduce related costs, increase awareness of conservation strategies among administrators, staff, students and parents, and receive recognition as stewards of the environment.

Dale Alekel, Project Manager, King County Solid Waste Division. speaker details

A brief overview of the assistance available to schools and school districts through the county’s Green Schools Program and some examples of success stories. Web site: www.kingcounty.gov/GreenSchools


Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool (HealthySEAT)
Pam Emerson, Children’s Environmental Health and Environmental Education Coordinator, US EPA Region 10. speaker details

The EPA has developed a unique software tool to help school districts evaluate and manage their school facilities for key environmental, safety and health issues. The new computer software is now available for school districts to customize and use for voluntary self-assessments of their facilities and to track and manage information on environmental conditions school by school. Website: www.epa.gov/schools/healthyseat/


Closing Remarks
Ken Armstrong, Program Administrator, Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County. speaker details