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EPA to Resample Air at Temple Elementary School

Release Date: 12/16/2010
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Joe Hubbard at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(DALLAS – December 16, 2010) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that they will resample air at Temple Elementary School for acrolein. The agency made this determination after results of a short term laboratory study raised questions about the consistency and reliability of monitoring results for acrolein.

Acrolein is a chemical formed from the burning of tobacco, gasoline and other oil products. Some industries use acrolein to make other chemicals. Breathing in the chemical can cause short-term respiratory tract irritation and congestion. Children with asthma may be more sensitive to lung irritation from acrolein.

The school, located in Diboll, Texas, was selected for monitoring because of its proximity to a plywood manufacturing facility. From Oct. 28, 2009, to Mar. 8, 2010, air monitors collected air samples at the school. EPA analyzed the results to see if there was a concern from short or long-term exposures. With the exception of acrolein all other volatile organic compounds are below levels of significant concern for short-term and long-term exposures.

Following the study of its previous acrolein monitoring methods, EPA has identified several steps that should significantly improve accuracy of acrolein sampling. EPA plans to conduct additional sampling in early 2011 at the site.

The Schools Air Toxics Monitoring Initiative, which monitored outside air at 63 schools in 22 states and two tribal areas, is designed to help EPA and state environmental agencies understand whether long-term exposure to air toxics poses health concerns for children and staff at the schools. The initiative is in addition to ongoing state, local and national air quality monitoring and assessments.

More information is available at https://www.epa.gov/schoolair/acrolein.html

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6

EPA audio file is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/dec2010.html