CT PTA President's Letter
Jan, 2005

All Schools Should be Pollution-Free

Here is a disturbing statistic from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: one-half of our nation's 115,000 schools have problems that are linked to poor indoor air quality. The students, teachers and staff who enter these unhealthy schools each day are at risk, especially the students because children are more susceptible to pollutants than adults.

There are many types of indoor air pollution but the most frequent problems in schools come from pollutants such as toxic chemicals, asbestos, pesticides and growing molds in ventilation equipment. These pollutants cause serious health problems that decrease student productivity, achievement and learning. Connecticut PTA is working closely with the Connecticut Department of Health and a team of agencies and organizations to combat this threat to our children's safety. One solution is an innovative program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency called "Tools for Schools".

In the Tools for Schools Program, a team composed of parents, school administrators, teachers and maintenance staff employs tools that are provided with the program to identify and assess potential indoor air quality problems. Many of these problems can be solved using basic techniques provided with the program. If they are identified early enough, potential threats to indoor air quality can be prevented at a fraction of the cost required to solve problems once they develop.

Tools for Schools is a free program. You can order Tools for Schools from the IAQ INFO Clearinghouse by calling (800) 438-4318. Ask for EPA document number 402-K-95-001. Or visit www.epa.gov/iaq/schools.

You can find more information about the issues around indoor air quality in schools on the Connecticut PTA web site (www.ctpta.org/legislative/air_quality.htm) including guidelines for parents to follow if they suspect their school has indoor air quality problems.

At a time when schools are committed to raising academic performance and ensuring that no child is left behind, schools should also make a commitment to provide our children with a healthy and productive learning environment. All schools should be pollution free. And like so many things in life, it's up to the parents to make sure it happens.

Yours in PTA,
Kevin Daly
President,
Connecticut PTA