ENSURING A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

There is a growing need for Catholic education boards, commissions, and councils to take the lead in ensuring an environment where students and staff can be healthy and safe, both in school or in church.

New discoveries every day are revealing both hidden dangers and the availability of better products and procedures regarding things such as: toxicity of cleaning and pest-control chemicals; composition of new synthetic materials; effects of unseen mold and mildew; research on the vulnerability of children's bodies; composition of construction materials; off-gassing of new materials, paints, adhesives; bacteria-harboring backing materials; dangers of diesel exhaust from parked buses - to name just a few. Studies are showing that environmental factors may be linked to the increasing rate of asthma, the leading childhood chronic illness and number one reason for school absenteeism. Asthma, other respiratory diseases, and neurological disorders potentially linked to environmental factors affect our children's ability to learn.

The board's active oversight of the health of the physical environment is just as important in ensuring a quality education as its traditional responsibilities in the areas of policies, funding, and keeping the facility operating. Students cannot learn if they are not healthy.

WHAT CAN THE BOARD DO?
The board can educate itself regarding the issues that need to be addressed. It might set up a standing committee that will ensure a healthy environment by working closely with the appropriate committees and persons in all areas of the school's life to provide information, consultation, and recommendations for specific actions or improvements.

The issues are so complex that there will be plenty to keep a separate Environmental Health and Safety Committee busy. Here are just a few examples of things the committee might accomplish by working with the appropriate channels:

1. Evaluate the benefits of "greener" products and materials. Consider the first cost, lifetime cost (operations and maintenance), and hidden costs (chemical exposures, asthma triggers, lost sick days, improved performance).
2. Evaluate disposal and waste management practices; promote recycling and ensure appropriate disposal of hazardous materials (including mercury-containing products like florescent lightbulbs and thermostats).
3. Continually research discoveries about the effects of old and new materials on young bodies.
4. Continually research the latest improvements in the technologies and materials your school uses, such as vacuum cleaners, cleaning fluids, pest control procedures, air filtration systems, carpet backing, paint and wall coverings, glues, roof sealants, etc.
5. Update regular maintenance schedules to give priority to repairing leaks and spills and removing mold/mildew immediately.
6. Use cleaning compounds that are not toxic and do not leave a residue.
7. Use carpet-cleaning techniques that will not leave dirt and residue in the backing.
8. Replace carpet pads with ones that use the latest technology for resisting contaminants.
9. Participate in the planning of projects and keep an eye on all maintenance and construction to make sure there are no safety violations or adverse health effects.
10. Make sure boiler emissions are meeting standards and not leaking into the building.
11. Establish an integrated pest control program.
12. Be sure busing policy does not allow idling buses to stand near open doors.
13. Schedule things like carpet installation, painting, pest control so that they are isolated from students for a safe period of time.
14. Make sure general safety and security standards are enforced.
15. Make sure Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are properly used.
16. In awarding contracts, investigate companies that specialize in school projects and train employees in how to work safely around children.
17. Arrange a facilities audit to get a complete view of the health of the school, then prioritize and create a comprehensive multiphase plan to implement the necessary improvements.

ARTICLES

Asthma
Boilers
Bullying - No tolerance policy
Bullying - A call for compassion for bullies
Carpets
Choosing Sites
Construction Safety
Crisis Kits
Energy Saving - EPA site helps you find energy efficient products.
Green Cleaning
Gym Safety Checklist
Is Your School Healthy?
Mold
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Report on procedures for reducing pesticide exposure in schools.
Pest Control
Pesticides and Playing Fields Can Be an Unhealthy Combination
Pressure-Treated Wood
Safe Cleaning Products
Uninsured Children's Insurance
Window Caulking Hazards

LINKS

Childproofing Our Communities Campaign
This site contains many resources for making the school environment safe for children and staff, including downloadable videos and PowerPoints, and the latest information on "green" cleaning supplies and materials.
Children's Health Matters
An outreach and advocacy program to facilitate enrollment in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program and to ensure access to quality health care.
Conference for Catholic Facility Management
A Catholic forum and network for persons having responsibility for diocesan or religious-owned buildings and properties.
Covering Kids & Families
This national health access initiative for low-income uninsured children and adults offers reports, state projects, and a Back to School Campaign Action Kit.
EPA — Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides information on cleaning products that contain chemicals harmful to health and environment, and offers a catalogue to help purchasers select environmentally preferable cleaning products.
EPA — Healthy School Environment Resources
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides a wealth of policy and technical information to help you make your building as healthy as possible for the students and staff who spend much of the day there.
EPA — Clean School Bus USA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains how to protect children from harmful exhaust, which is an often-overlooked hazard to health.
Healthy Building Network
A national network of "green" building professionals, environmental and health advocates, and others who promote healthier building materials.
Healthy Schools Network
A nonprofit organization that provides information and advice on activism and advocacy to make schools healthier.
Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site provides a wealth of free information and materials for schools.
Inventory of Federal School Environmental Health Activities
Descriptions and links to federal studies and programs through the 41-page President's Task Force on Environmental Risks and Safety Risks to Children.
National Center for Educational Statistics
Data provided by the U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences
National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities
Hundreds of articles and reports on materials, practices, facilities, and performance.
Planning Guide for Maintaining School Facilities
This lengthy 184-page guide in PDF format from the U.S. Department of Education includes information related to environmental health.

Conference for Catholic Facility Management
Catholic Charities USA
The Catholic Health Association of the United States
Catholic Health Initiatives
National Catholic Educational Association
National Catholic Partnership on Disability
National Catholic Rural Life Conference
National Council of Catholic Women
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

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