The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3025.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - Board 6

Abstract #52132

Healthier Schools: A Review of State Policies for Improving Indoor Air Quality in Schools

Tobie Bernstein, Environmental Law Institute, 1616 P St., NW, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 939-3800, bernstein@eli.org

This research synthesizes and reviews a wide range of state policy approaches to preventing indoor air quality problems in new and existing schools. While local school districts are responsible for addressing basic health and safety issues, with over 14,000 school districts in the country, the states can play an important role in establishing frameworks that require, facilitate and encourage local action to improve health and education. Indeed, the increased public awareness of indoor air quality problems in schools has led to a greater level of activity in state legislatures in recent years. Although there is no single template or model policy sed by states currently, many of the policies adopted so far demonstrate approaches that other states can consider when developing legislation, regulations, guidance documents and programs to create healthier indoor environments in schools. The policies included in this study, which were adopted in or before 2001, reflect four general strategies: (1) traditional regulatory requirements; (2) information and training; (3) funding and financial incentives; and (4) public right to know.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Public Health Policy, School Health

Related Web page: www.healthyschools.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Healthy Schools Network, Inc.
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.

Infrastructure Development: Creating Healthier School Facilities

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA