Guidelines for State School Environmental Health Programs EISA Sec. 504

EPA, DoED, and other relevant agencies shall issue Voluntary guidelines –For use by states in developing and implementing an environmental health program for schools that….

Voluntary Guidelines will... Take into account the status and findings of Federal initiatives with respect to: –Health –Safety –Productivity –Disability and special needs

Voluntary Guidelines will... Take into account relevant tools –Survey existing research and studies related to high performance Green Buildings

Voluntary Guidelines will... Take into account –A. Environmental problems including… Lead in Drinking water Lead from materials and products Asbestos Radon Mercury releases Pollutant emissions Any other environmental problems, contaminants, or hazardous substances that presents a risk to health of school occupants.

Voluntary Guidelines will... Also take into account Natural day lighting Ventilation choices and technologies Heating and cooling choices and Technologies Moisture control and mold Maintenance, cleaning, and pest control activities Acoustics Other issues related to health, comfort, productivity, and performance of occupants of school facilities

Voluntary Guidelines will... Provide Technical Assistance on –Siting –Design –Management –Operation of school facilities

Voluntary Guidelines will... Address collaboration with federally funded pediatric environmental health centers to assist in on-site school environmental investigations

Voluntary Guidelines will... Help states make the most efficient use of available resources to help communities improve school environmental health

Voluntary Guidelines will... Take into account special vulnerabilities of children in low-income and minority communities to exposures from contaminants, hazardous substances, and pollutant emissions.

Hurdles Cost associated with improvements Financially strapped schools Limited expertise and staff Focused on other capital improvements Other major priorities – “improve student performance”

Goal Develop reasonable guidelines for state school environmental health programs that support: –Multiple existing state and community school environmental health programs and goals –A safe, healthy and productive environment for children and staff

Discovery Phase Establish EPA workgroup with DoEd and HHS participation Meet/Attend/Participate – –States working on school environmental health issues –NGO discussions related to potential school environmental health guidelines Identify existing potential models –State school environmental health programs –Related models (e.g. Safe & Drug Free Schools, School Climate Model, Coordinated School Health Programs)

Draft Framework Develop a straw conceptual framework –Propose a reasonable path forward for States Consult with Federal, state, and NGOs to develop and refine concept Important elements to include: –benefits – immediate and future –case studies –incentives for state action Opportunities to leverage resources Look within EPA, HHS and DoED for opportunities to support states that initiate a school environmental health program Evaluate current epa.gov/schools and HealthySEAT content to determine most appropriate format for conveying technical and policy program content to states

Need Your Input What are the most important things EPA could do in the guidelines to help states and schools? How can EPA help build bridges across state environmental, health and education agencies? What should EPA avoid doing?