New York State School Environmental Health Program

school bus, children playing on turf field, girl drinking from water fountain

Upcoming Events

Preparing for School Breaks: Tips and Best Practices, Tuesday, December 16, 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Is your school building ready for winter break? Join the SEHP team to discuss best practices and share your tips and experiences in preparing school facilities for breaks, from individual classrooms to building systems. Register Here.

Radon Information for Schools, Tuesday, January 13, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

In observance of National Radon Action Month, join the SEHP team for an interactive session with Cynthia Costello, Chief of the Environmental Radiation/Radon Section at the Center for Environmental Health. Topics discussed will include radon properties, health risks, NYSED regulations, and guidance on testing and mitigation. Register Here.

Resources by Topic

About Us

The NYS School Environmental Health Program is a voluntary, non-regulatory program that emphasizes practical steps that are low or no-cost. Materials and information on this website will help you self-assess and take appropriate actions to create healthier learning and working environments for all students and staff across New York State.

The program offers:

  • Free resources to familiarize yourself with our environmental health focus areas
  • Self-assessment tools
  • Access to technical assistance from a wide range of experts

What is school environmental health?

School environmental health is the way the physical environment influences the health and well-being of the occupants.

How does the school environment affect health?

A school’s environmental health can impact the health of its occupants. Examples of environmental factors that can contribute to health symptoms are indoor air quality, mold or excess moisture, pests and pesticides, and lead. Temperature, lighting, and noise levels can also negatively impact health if not properly controlled. These factors can lead to asthma symptoms or attacks, respiratory symptoms, headaches, andthe transmission of viral and bacterial-related illnesses.

How does the school environment affect other outcomes?

A school’s environmental health can have impacts on absenteeism, employee and student retention and satisfaction, academic performance, and test scores. Also, costly expenditures on energy, repairs, maintenance, and clean-ups increase operation costs for the school.

Health and Safety Committees are required by law for New York State public schools. Ideally, nonpublic schools also create these committees. Fully developed and efficiently functioning Health and Safety Committees are integral to responding to and preventing environmental health concerns in schools.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) provides suggestions to guide districts in establishing Health and Safety Committees and defining the duties of the committee.

New York State has laws and regulations that schools should be following to assist in creating healthy school environments.