NYS School Environmental Health Program: Topics
Asthma
One in ten children in New York State have asthma, affecting nearly half a million students (Asthma Surveillance Summary Report). These children can be affected by poor environmental conditions that could worsen asthma and cause discomfort during the school day. Poor environmental health in the school can also affect adults with asthma and can trigger their symptoms as well. Schools can contain numerous sources of potential irritants and asthma triggers that can impact students and staff. Knowing how to properly manage asthma and how to maintain an environment that limits irritants and triggers are effective ways to improve learning and working conditions. On this page you will find many resources about asthma and the school environment.
- Asthma Action Plan and Informational Materials. Information compiled by the NYSDOH on having an asthma action plan, knowing asthma triggers, and managing asthma.
- How Asthma Friendly Is Your School? This brief checklist created by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program can help you get an idea of your school’s environmental health and if you are taking the precautionary steps to eliminate or reduce asthma triggers.
- Lungtropolis. This interactive website has two different portals, a games zone for kids to learn about asthma while having fun, and a parent’s zone with helpful tips for managing asthma at home.
- Managing Asthma in the School Environment. Information from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on how to take action to manage asthma in the school environment, develop an asthma management plan, and reduce environmental asthma triggers.
- Open Airways For Schools. This program created by the American Lung Association is aimed to help elementary school children better manage their own asthma. The program also has a variety of information for other people to learn about asthma and how it affects people who suffer from it.
- Asthma Friendly Schools Initiative. This initiative from the American Lung Association provides asthma management tools and resources for schools and communities.
- Work-Related Asthma in the Educational Services Industry. A journal article abstract published by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) characterizing work-related asthma (WRA) cases in the educational services industry that were identified by state-based occupational disease surveillance systems in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey.
- Work-Related Asthma: Recognition and Diagnosis. This "Public Health Live!" episode from the Center for Public Health Continuing Education at University at Albany’s School of Public Health introduces some common triggers to look out for in the workplace, methods to reduce exposure and who you should talk to if experiencing these symptoms.
- Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools. It is important for students to receive the recommended 60 minutes per day of physical activity; this guidance tool created by the CDC with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the School Flag Program can help you determine if your students should exercise indoors or outdoors.
- Strategies for Addressing Asthma in Schools. A compilation by the CDC of information and resources for implementing programs in schools to address asthma and improve overall student health.
- Asthma Awareness Toolkit. Learn more from the CDC about how to raise awareness for asthma.
- What is Asthma? This Allergy & Asthma Network webpage provides helpful information on types of asthma, common symptoms and triggers, myths, asthma in relation to exercise and much more.
- Athletes and Asthma: The Community Coach’s Role. This 30-minute online educational program from the Minnesota Department of Health focuses on what coaches, referees, and physical education teachers should know about asthma.
- Steps to Follow for an Asthma Attack in the School Setting. A 3-step plan for responding to an asthma attack in the school setting, as outlined by the NYSDOH.
- Asthma Resources for School and Childcare Providers. Compilation of CDC, government, and nongovernment resources for school personnel planning or maintaining an asthma management program.
Climate Action
Conserving energy is important for a school’s efficiency and safety. It can also result in cost savings. Below are resources that will help you assess and improve your school’s efficiency while making sound financial decisions.
- P-12 Schools: Inspire young minds to think green. Programs compiled by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) that offer information and financial incentives to make schools healthier and more productive learning environments.
- LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Program. A green building certification program by the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC) that recognizes best strategies and practices for building maintenance to improve performance and increase cost savings. The program has opportunities for all building types and phases, including existing buildings that are undergoing improvement work or little to no construction.
- An Overview of Facility and Efficiency Improvements for a Healthy School Environment. Information compiled by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on efficiency and operational improvements, and ways to keep children safe during emergencies.
- Collaborative for High Performance Schools. A free program for schools that provides an abundance of resources to become high performing schools.
- Energy Star Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator. This Energy Star tool can help in your school’s financing decisions about energy efficient projects. Calculate your potential savings and how much energy you can conserve.
- Energy Savings Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for School Building Upgrades. US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide to assist school facility managers, energy managers, risk managers, building operators, and school administrators to collaboratively manage the relationships between energy efficiency upgrade activities and indoor air quality in schools.
Integrated Pest Management & Pesticide Issues
Pests in schools (e.g., cockroaches, mice) leave droppings and dander in the building, which can trigger asthma and respiratory allergies. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a systematic and cost effective way of addressing pests that can be applied to indoor and outdoor school environments. Resources pertaining to pesticide issues and IPM are listed below.
- Prevent Pests and Reduce Pesticide Exposure. Component five of a five-tiered action plan outlined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for model schools to take to prevent pests and reduce pesticide exposure.
- Managing Pests in Schools. Information from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on integrated pest management in schools, establishing a pest management program, pests of concern, and training and certification.
- Pesticide Use at Schools and Day Care Centers. Guidance from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on the law and policy on requests for emergency pesticide application determinations for schools.
- New York State Integrated Pest Management Program for Buildings and Schools. Find fact sheets, presentations, diagnostic resources, a blog, and more about IPM in schools from this Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences webpage.
- Integrated Pest Management Workbook for New York State Schools. A reference tool from Cornell University for schools to use when planning and implementing IPM programs.
- Emergency Pesticide Application Determinations at School and Day Care Centers. Guidance document by the NYSDOH for schools with public health-related emergency pesticide application determinations.
- Pesticides and Pest Management. This fact sheet by the NYSDOH provides information on the adverse effects of pesticide exposure and steps to reduce pesticides and manage pests in schools.
- Pest Control in the School Environment: Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Effective IPM strategies from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to serve as best practices in your schools’ pest management program implementation.
- Webinars about Integrated Pest Management in Schools. Recorded webinars and question/answer summaries from the EPA’s 2017 Integrated Pest Management Webinar Series.
- Notice of Pesticide Application Law. Excerpt from New York State Education Law, Title 1, Article 9, Section 409-h. Requirements for notification of pesticide application [source: NYS Education Department 2/7/2008].
- Guidance on Chapter 85, Laws of 2010. Summary of Pesticide Prohibition Requirements and Pesticide Alternatives Regarding Schools and Day Care Centers in New York State. December 22, 2010.
- School Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law. 8 CRR-NY 155.24. School pesticide neighbor notification.
- School Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law Reminder. Questions and answers about this law.
- Integrated Pest Management Backgrounders & Checklist from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
- Environmental Protection Agency School Integrated Pest Management Listserv. Information related to school IPM relayed once every two weeks intended to assist and motivate individuals to start, grow, and sustain school IPM programs.
Construction/Renovation/School Siting
Proper school siting is a proactive way to foster a healthy school environment. To reduce the potential for environmental health problems in schools and possible negative health impacts for students and school professionals, school districts must adhere to all applicable requirements and should also consider the kinds of guidance provided in the links below. Schools should also implement measures to keep occupant health a priority when performing renovations or other construction on existing buildings. Resources regarding school siting, construction, and renovations pertaining to school environmental health are listed below.
- School Sites. New York State planning and development standards for proper assessment of factors which influence the selection of a school site.
- Indoor Environmental Quality: Maintaining Indoor Environmental Quality During Construction & Renovation. Information from the CDC for people who may be affected by construction and renovation projects in the work setting.
- Energy Savings Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for School Building Upgrades. A guide created by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help school facility managers, energy managers, risk managers, building operators, and school administrators to collaboratively manage the relationships between energy efficiency upgrade activities and indoor air quality in schools.
- Renovation and New Construction Text Module for the Indoor Air Quality Building Education and Assessment Model. Find practices and actions recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the design and planning phases for construction projects and building renovations on this website.
- An Overview of Renovations for a Healthy School Environment. Why it's important, what you can do, and links to detailed information on this US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) webpage.
- Renovation and Repair, Part of Indoor Air Quality Design Tools for Schools. Information from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for renovation and repair focused on demolition, construction, designs that interfere with ventilation, and off-gassing from new building materials.
- LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Program. A green building certification program by the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC) that recognizes best strategies and practices for building maintenance to improve performance and increase cost savings. The program has opportunities for all building types and phases, including existing buildings that are undergoing improvement work or little to no construction.
- P-12 Schools: Inspire young minds to think green. Programs compiled by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) that offer information and financial incentives to make schools healthier and more productive learning environments.
- Collaborative for High Performance Schools. A free program for schools that provides an abundance of resources to create better designs and become high performing schools.
- K-Solar. Additional information from New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of Facilities Planning on the K-Solar program, including guidance and a template for a performance warranty and purchaser credit agreement.
- Uniform Safety Standards for School Construction and Maintenance Projects. 8 CRR-NY 155.5
- Part 155 Regulations. NYS Education Department summary. Educational Facilities.
- Renovation and Repairs Backgrounders and Checklist from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Transportation/Vehicle Idling
Vehicle exhaust contains air pollutants that can cause adverse health effects. Children's lungs are developing and exposure to these pollutants increases the risk of respiratory problems, including asthma, as well as other adverse health effects. NYS laws and regulations that address this issue will help reduce pollutants that can contaminate indoor and outdoor air at schools.
- Reducing School Bus Idling- Requirements and Notice Material for Districts. NYS Education Department summary.
- Idle Free Schools Toolkit for a Healthy School Environment. A breakdown by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of why it is bad to idle vehicles and ideas for idling reduction campaigns at your school.
- Clean School Bus. A program run by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that helps communities reduce emissions from older diesel school buses.
- Buses and Vehicle Idling. This fact sheet created by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discusses air pollution concerns and steps to reduce vehicle exhaust at school.
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