If you are wondering “Where do I start?”, then this is the must have collection for you. The articles below are the essential information sources you will need to get started to make your school a healthier place. Air Quality Testing Why children are more vulnerable Some less expensive ways… read more →
Cost Effectiveness of Healthy Buildings Healthy schools not only make children healthier, but more productive learners. Some people ask if it costs more to build healthy schools, but in Nova Scotia, new schools are routinely being completed on or under budget. Not only do they provide clear benefits, but building… read more →
Air Quality Testing and Other Challenges to Building Evaluations 2014 Air Quality Testing: CAUTION Air quality testing is one tool for determining possible contaminants in an indoor environmentWhen a school is suspected of having Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problems, building occupants or the public often demand “testing” and want to see… read more →
History Carpets have qualities that we like to live with, such as sound dampening, slip prevention and just a softer place to sit on the floor. In lower elementary grades sitting on the floor is part of most days. It seemed like a good idea at the time.For many years… read more →
The Northwest Clean Air Agency is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal, state and local air quality regulations in Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties. The agency also sponsors voluntary programs to further improve air quality.
School District Policies and Procedures Purchasing School Districts should consider creating a purchasing policy for chemicals and products containing chemicals. Schools should consider creating an approved chemicals and products list, based on less toxic or non-toxic alternatives to make implementation and enforcement easier. School personnel should consider purchasing only those chemicals or… read more →
Characteristics of Schools That Can Affect Indoor Environment Quality For existing schools: We can better understand the causes of school indoor environment problems and also better understand some of the barriers to getting things fixed or changed if we understand the factors that make schools unique. For new schools:… read more →
Back To School: Environmental Health Issues Here are some of the most common environmental health issues we have found when schools open in September or after long holidays: Students and teachers have new school supplies, and new clothes. Some people, wanting to make a good first impression, try out their… read more →
Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit Updated: March 2015 Introduction In Canada we have to do this as citizens, since there is no organized plan here to make it happen. In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency launched the first Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools Action Kit in… read more →
Fragrance Chemicals are not Harmless “84% of these ingredients have never been tested for human toxicity, or have been tested only minimally.” (Ashford and Miller, Chemical Exposures: Low levels and High Stakes.”)1 The Fragrance industry is a self-regulated industry. “If it were unhealthy the government wouldn’t let it be sold”… read more →