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Bensalem School District Recognized by EPA Region III for Outstanding Tools for Schools Program

Release Date: 9/17/2002
Contact Information: Donna Heron, 215-814-5113

Donna Heron, 215-814-5113

PHILADELPHIA – The Bensalem School District joined EPA’s Tools for Schools program in 1995 after mold was found in the high school library.

Since then, the school district has made a commitment to systematic solve indoor air problems. A program has been set up to identify, evaluate, control and resolve indoor air quality issues. And a staff position was created to fully concentrate on issues of health and safety and to provide awareness and education to all school occupants.

In 2000 the school district took the next step by becoming a mentor to other schools implementing EPA’s Tools for Schools program. The district shares its experiences, conducts presentations at education conferences, and consults with other schools that want to start the program. Recognizing the value of this effort, EPA has granted the Bensalem School District $7,000 to encourage the mentoring.

“We applaud the efforts of the Bensalem School District,” said EPA Regional Administrator Donald S. Welsh. “The levels of indoor air pollutants can be two to five times, and occasionally more than 100 times higher, than outdoor levels. And because most people spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors, good indoor air quality is of particular concern.

“Today’s $7,000 grant award will go towards helping Bensalem continue to help other schools create and maintain their own Tools for Schools program,” Welsh said. “Networking between school districts helps everyone to resolve issues of indoor air quality more effectively and efficiently.”

In 1995 the U.S. Government Accounting Office reported that more than half of the nation’s schools have problems with indoor air quality. The report referred to all types of schools – new and old, big and small, urban and suburban, rich and poor.

The consequences of indoor air pollution can be serious: potential health problems for students and teachers resulting in increased absenteeism, increased visits to the nurse’s office, increased long-term and short-term health problems, and aggravation of respiratory diseases and asthma.

To address these concerns EPA created Tools for Schools – a voluntary, common sense program designed to allow schools to help themselves. The free kit recommends a practical plan of action that can be carried out by school staff without the need for special training. The kit provides simple-to-follow checklists, background information, and sample memos and policies. Also included are two videos, Taking Action and Ventilation Basics.

For more information, or to get a free copy of the Tools for Schools kit, contact EPA’s Region III office in Philadelphia at 215-814-2054 or check out the website: www.epa.gov/iaq.