UNHEALTHY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS THREATEN MILLIONS OF CHILDREN NATIONWIDE
A new report shows an estimated 32,000,000 children are at a high risk for health and learning impairments because of their own schools. A nation-wide, state-by-state analysis, including testimonials, illustrates that problems are much more serious and widespread than previously acknowledged.A second report highlights the fact that no federal agency is charged with intervening to protect children's health in schools. On top of that, the few efforts to improve things are uncoordinated, leaving children forced to attend unhealthy schools that make them sick and leaving their parents without the ability to do anything about it.
According to the Healthy Schools Network:
"Research indicates that children are frequently exposed to a myriad of health threats at schools: bus emissions and infiltration of fumes and carbon monoxide into classrooms; toxic construction demolition debris and toxic fumes from paints and glues and carpets; schools located in former factories or on or near Superfund sites or other hazardous facilities; use of toxic products in the classrooms or stored in schools; and chemical spills or misapplications. Meanwhile, many health problems like asthma and autism that are linked to environmental concerns appear to be rising and the US EPA estimates that half of all schools have unhealthy indoor air quality. In addition, the underlying science also shows that children's ability to learn can also be compromised by factors such as inadequate lighting, heating, and poor acoustics."
Click here for the national, state-by-state report citing problems and personal stories.