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NEA members
have been very active in addressing IAQ issues. We first profiled
NEA membersÌ activities in Volume 3 of The Source and again in Volumes
5 and 7. Since then, we have had an enthusiastic response from members
who have initiated or are continuing action on IAQ. The following
are examples of activities members have completed.
Kathy Turning
and Steve Swan, Ohio
Since attending NEA HIN IAQ in Schools Trainings, Kathy and Steve
have become active IAQ advocates. They have met with several locals
to discuss IAQ and its implications for OhioÌs schools. They have
also met with Ohio Education Association governance and Ohio PTA
officials to form a partnership for IAQ education and promotion.
Kathy and Steve also work closely with a state-wide Ohio IAQ coalition.
Barbara
Rogers, Hawaii
A science teacher, Barbara contacted an Environmental Health Specialist
for the State of Hawaii Department of Health to co-present on IAQ
for the Hawaii Science Teachers Association’s Fall Conference. Together,
they distributed 30 IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kits. The State
Department of Health also sent out a letter to school principals,
informing them of the kit and how they could receive one at no charge.
John and
Ruth Sweet, California
John and Ruth have used the ToxRAP curriculum to teach students
how to think critically about applied science. After a teacher experienced
ill health from teaching in the schoolÌs library, the KMAC kids
(Kids Making a Connection – Health and the Environment) used what
they learned in the ToxRAP curriculum to investigate and mitigate
the source of the IAQ problem. The KMAC kids summarized their experience
in an illustrated book, CRABBY KATHY! that is being shared with
other 3rd grade classes in Chico, CA. The KMAC Kids were recognized
with an EPA PresidentÌs Environmental Youth Award Certificate.
To find out
more about CRABBY KATHY! and the KMAC Kids, contact Hooker Elementary
School, 1238 Arbutus Ave., Chico, CA 95925, 530-893-1812 phone,
503-891-3120 fax, or access KMAC Kids on the Web at http://personalweb.sunset.net/~jsweet/kmac.html.
ToxRAP, developed
by the Resource Center at the Environmental and Occupational Health
Sciences Institute (EOHSI), is an innovative, K-9 curriculum that
introduces the principles of toxicology and the process of risk
assessment. Using air pollution as an example, ToxRAP teaches students
to recognize the hazards of air contaminants in their environments,
evaluate the potential health risks of these contaminants, and,
when necessary, control hazards to reduce risks. To find out more
about the ToxRAP curriculum, contact: Brenda Steinberg (phone 732-445-0110,
email [email protected])
or Joanna Norman (phone 520-626-7659, email [email protected]).
Dodie Gill,
VA
The director of the Employee Assistance Program for Arlington Public
Schools and Arlington County Government in Virginia, Dodie successfully
convinced Arlington County Public Schools to implement an IAQ Tools
for Schools Action Kit in every public school in the county.
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Words
of Wisdom
- Read materials
on IAQ, especially the EPAÌs IAQ Tools for Schools Action
Kit.
- Keep records
of complaints about health and maintenance problems at school.
- Take note of
items that can lead to health problems Û construction, new
building materials and furnishings, animals, and supplies.
- Make sure the
schoolÌs ventilation system filters are changed regularly.
- Make sure classrooms
are tested for radon.
- Help educate
fellow teachers and school support personnel, students,
parents, and community members about IAQ.
– Kathy Turning
and Steve Swan, Ohio
We have found the
ToxRAP curriculum to be a successful tool in meeting not only
our state and district environmental health components, but
also as an awareness for teachers. We feel that this is an
excellent format to help children (and adults) understand
how their health is affected by their environment
– John and
Ruth Sweet, California
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NEA Health Information Network