Not enough air in classrooms School is a big part child's total lifetime exposure. Vermont children spend many hours a day for many years coming and going to school, inside school buildings and hanging out on school grounds. Children s school environmental hazard exposure is multiplied by school and play habits, small body size, high food intake, and incomplete immune system development. All make growing children especially vulnerable to life long health ramifications. Protecting children means taking preventive actions all the time children are at school.
Communities can work together to make public school child health friendly.
The Solution A phase-out of pesticide use in all schools. A School Environmental Health Coordinator assigned at each school to implement an indoor air quality improvement plan, such as the EPA Tools for Schools. The Coordinator works with parents, school officials and the Department of Health to create and maintain a safe indoor air environment. A statewide Safe Materials Policy for schools. Such a policy would help schools use non-toxic or least toxic office and classroom supplies, maintenance and cleaning chemicals, building equipment and materials, and furnishings and floorings.