The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #44077

Gregory G. Miller¹, Tracey J. Woodruff², and Daniel A. Axelrad². (1) Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW (MC 1809T), Washington, DC 20460, 202-566-2310, miller.gregory@epa.gov, (2) Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation, US Environmental Protection Agency, 75 Hawthorne St, MC SPE-1, San Francisco, CA 94105

Numerous risk assessments have examined air pollutant exposure of the average adult at both residential and occupational facilities. However, exposure to air pollutants is not limited to the adult population. Relatively few studies have focused on childhood exposure to air pollutants. Even fewer have attempted to assess exposures at the location where children spend significant amounts of their time: schools. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has used dispersion modeling to estimate long-term outdoor concentrations of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) at the census tract level for the entire continental United States. In addition, monitoring data for the six criteria air pollutants (particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and lead) are available for much of the United States. A portion of these data were analyzed using Geographic Information System (GIS) software in conjunction with national data on the locations of schools. Where possible, the air pollution concentration at a school was assigned according to the census tract in which the school was located or the school’s proximity to a criteria pollutant monitor. Schools of similar pollutant concentration were grouped together, and the total number of students attending these schools was calculated. Exposure estimates were then compared to available toxicity values in order to determine if outdoor air pollution levels at schools were of concern.

The views expressed in this presentation are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to identify air pollutants of concern at educational facilities.

Keywords: Air Pollutants, School Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.