EPA Releases Guidelines for Healthier Schools

 

New EPA guidelines for healthy schools include a recommendation to revise school bus schedules to minimize idling.

By Erin Weaver

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a set of guidelines to help states establish and maintain environmental health programs for schools. Part of EPA’s Healthy Schools program, “Voluntary Guidelines for States: Development and Implementation of a School Environmental Health Program” is aimed at states, school districts, K–12 schools, and individuals, and can be adapted for other school-related institutions, such as childcare centers.

The guidelines focus on maintenance; moisture and mold issues; pests and pesticides; ventilation; and contaminants that include PCBs, radon, and diesel exhaust. Along with recommendations on assessing existing resources among state agencies, the guidelines offer case studies and technical advice, including regular HVAC inspection, selection of low-emitting paints and cleaners, and revision of school bus schedules to minimize idling. For more information, see www.epa.gov/schools.

December 1, 2012
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IMAGE CREDITS:
1. Photo: Andrei Niemimäki
DISCUSSIONS
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RELATED ARTICLES
Image 1 Green Schools: Learning as We Go
EBN: Feature - November 2002
RELATED LEED CREDITS
Minimum IAQ Performance
IEQ Prerequisite 1
More related LEED credits
RELATED GREEN DESIGN
Indoor Environmental Quality
More related green design