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Indoor Air in Tribal Schools

Indoor Air in Tribal Schools. Clean, Green and Healthy Tribal Schools Initiative. Mansel A Nelson & Graylynn J. Hudson Tribal Environmental Education Outreach Program Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Northern Arizona University 928-523-1275.

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Indoor Air in Tribal Schools

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  1. Indoor Air in Tribal Schools Clean, Green and Healthy Tribal Schools Initiative Mansel A Nelson & Graylynn J. Hudson Tribal Environmental Education Outreach Program Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Northern Arizona University 928-523-1275 nau.edu/iaqtc Clean, Green and Healthy Tribal Schools Initiative

  2. Mansel A. Nelson Chemist Chemical Engineer Educator Graylynn Jaysue Hudson With Summer Scholars Staff Mansel has been working in tribal schools for 20 years. His focus is to apply science and technology to local issues, including air quality. Graylynn (back row on right) rejoined ITEP‐EEOP as an instructor in 2010 to assist with the program’s education and outreach efforts. nau.edu/iaqtc

  3. Indoor Air in Tribal Schools Indoor Air Quality Assessment at Tohono O’Odham nau.edu/iaqtc Introduction to Our Lungs IAQ in Tribal Schools EPA IAQ Tools for Schools Asthma Radon Mold ITEP Resources

  4. Our Lungs Our lungs are directly connected to the environment. People breath continuously (Breathing is NOT optional) Oxygen & carbon-dioxide pass through very thin walls of alveoli But, any gas (poisonous ones, too) can pass through alveoli walls And, very small particles can also pass through alveoli walls nau.edu/iaqtc

  5. What are common symptoms indicating IAQ issues in schools? nau.edu/iaqtc • Eye, nose, and throat irritation • Coughing, sneezing, and wheezing • Asthma attacks • Headaches • Fatigue • Aggravated allergies and asthma • Respiratory infections Toronto Sun 12.07.11

  6. What are common concerns in tribal schools? Many older buildings don’t have active ventilation Schools with HVAC may reduce fresh air intake to conserve energy (and money) Mold (really a moisture issue) Back-logged Maintenance Shortage of custodial staff Obsolete cleaning practices nau.edu/iaqtc

  7. What are pollutant sources in tribal schools? • People - everyone is a source of pollutants • Personal care products • Students & staff with communicable diseases • Radon • Classroom pets • Excess moisture leading to mold • Dry-erase markers and chalk • Cleaning materials • Odors from paint, caulk, and adhesives • Insects and other pests • Odors from trash • Outdoor pollutants nau.edu/iaqtc

  8. Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Schools Promote a healthy learning environment at your school to reduce absenteeism, improve test scores and enhance student and staff productivity. nau.edu/iaqtc

  9. What is the EPA IAQ TfS Program? • Guides & Check lists for: • IAQ Coordinator • Teachers • Administrators • Maintenance staff • Health staff • Video Collection: • Action plan • Ventilation basics • Walk through guide nau.edu/iaqtc IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html

  10. Guides and Checklists nau.edu/iaqtc

  11. Framework for IAQ TfS Key Drivers 1.Organize: Get buy in from school leadership Create a Team & Coordinator 2. Assess: Do initial school walk-through Listen to occupants 3. Plan: Prioritize actions Develop goals 4. Act: Education of occupants 5. Evaluate: Measure impacts Return on Investment (ROI) 6. Communicate: Transparent Share results nau.edu/iaqtc

  12. Framework for IAQ TfS Technical Solutions • Quality HVAC • Control Moisture/Mold • Integrated Pest Management • Effective Cleaning/Maintenance • Materials Selection • Aggressive Source Control nau.edu/iaqtc http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html

  13. What else could we consider? Measurements Smoke Stick to measure air movement Carbon Dioxide monitor to measure ventilation Carbon monoxide monitor Moisture meters nau.edu/iaqtc

  14. Student Involvement Curricular Resources • Hydroville –www.hydroville.org/air • IAQ Lesson Plans – www.neahin.org/educator-resources/ understanding-the-indoor.html • Green Ribbon Schools - http://www.greenribbonschools.org/ nau.edu/iaqtc Curricular activities Assessment Feedback Communication

  15. More Information Assessment nau.edu/iaqtc EPA Healthy School Environments - www.epa.gov/schools EPA Tools for Schools – www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/ American Lung Association – www.lungusa.org/ Healthy Schools Network – www.healthyschools.org/ OSHA - www.osha.gov/SLTC/indoorairquality/ CDC - www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/indoorenv/ http://www.epa.gov/schools/healthyseat/index.html

  16. Asthma in Tribal CommunitiesProtecting the health of the next generation. • 1 CDC. Surveillance for asthma---United States, 1980--1999. In: CDC Surveillance Summaries (March 29). MMWR 2002;51(No. SS-1). • 2 Asthma Prevalence Among US Children in Underrepresented Minority Populations: American Indian/Alaska Native, Chinese, Filipino, and Asian Indian. Brim, Rudd, Funk, and Callahan. PEDIATRICS: 122(1). July 2008, pp. e217-e222. nau.edu/iaqtc 12% of people living in tribal communities Compared to the current national average of 7%.1 13.0% of American Indian/AlaskaNative children Compared to 8.9% of children in the U.S. 2

  17. Asthma • Many potential triggers are air pollutants • Inflammation of airways • Blocking, narrowing airways, mucous nau.edu/iaqtc

  18. What causes asthma? Research into the causes of asthma is still ongoing. Strong links to family medical history. Strong links to exposure to tobacco smoke. Many other connections under investigation. nau.edu/iaqtc www.squidoo.com

  19. What is Asthma? • is chronic • produces recurring episodes of breathing problems • is potentially life-threatening • can start at any age • is not contagious • cannot be cured, but can be controlled nau.edu/iaqtc Asthma is a condition that:

  20. What makes Asthma Worse? • asthma. • Exercise: Exercise Induced Asthma • Infections in the upper airways, such as colds • Changes in weather and temperature • Physical expressions of strong • feelings such as crying, laughing hard, yelling • Not all factors affect all people. • It is important to identify what affects a particular person’s nau.edu/iaqtc

  21. What makes Asthma Worse? www.cliver.com nau.edu/iaqtc Allergens such as: • Dust mites • Cockroaches • Furred and feathered animals • Pollens (grass and trees) • Molds (indoor and outdoors) • Nitrogen dioxide

  22. What makes Asthma Worse? nau.edu/iaqtc Irritants such as: • Environmental tobacco smoke • Air pollution including wood smoke • Scented products • Strong fumes or odors

  23. What can I do to help? nau.edu/iaqtc Limit the amount of perfumed products you wear. Be conscious of exposure to certain cleaning products and use less toxic alternatives when possible. Choose not to smoke around others, especially children. Improve air quality in schools and community Learn more about asthma prevention Teach others about asthma prevention

  24. More Information nau.edu/iaqtc • Public Service Announcements www.noattacks.org/ • Communities in Action for Asthma Friendly Environments Online Network www.asthmacommunitynetwork.org/ • EPA’s Publications and Resources List for Asthma www.epa.gov/asthma/publications.html • Native AIR program http://www.nativeasthma.org • IAQ Tools for Schoolhttp://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/managingasthma.html • EPA’s Tribal Indoor Air Quality Web site www.epa.gov/iaqtribal

  25. Radon • Radioactive gas • Radon in air is ubiquitous • Found in outdoor air and indoor air of buildings of all kinds  • No known safe level of radon www.radonleaders.org www.nau.edu/eeop

  26. Radon “Daughters” Radon, Polonium, Lead, Bismuth, and Polonium have short half-lives Results in several exposures in a short time www.nau.edu/eeop

  27. Radon or decay products inhaled Particles irradiate lungs Irradiation can cause lung cancer Radon in Lungs Radon www.nau.edu/eeop

  28. What health issues are associated with Radon? • Radon is number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers  • Second leading cause of lung cancer  • Responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year  • About 2,900 lung cancer deaths are among people who have never smoked www.epa.gov www.nau.edu/eeop

  29. Radon – EPA Action Levels • Red alert - radon level above 4 pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter) • Yellow alert - radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L • Average radon indoor air about 1.3 pCi/L www.nau.edu/eeop

  30. Comes from soil Lower parts of building at greatest risk “Stack effect” pulls Radon into home Found in all 50 states Found in about 1 out of 15 homes Where is Radon found? www.nau.edu/eeop

  31. Radon Testing Radon test kits for tribal communities can be ordered online at http://www.nau.edu/iaqtc www.nau.edu/eeop

  32. Radon Test Kits www.reduce-radon.com • Tribal Offices can order test kits at nau.edu/iaqtc • Individuals can purchase test kits • online at www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html • at local hardware nau.edu/iaqtc

  33. Radon Mitigation www.nau.edu/eeop

  34. Radon Mitigation nau.edu/iaqtc

  35. More Information • EPA - http://www.epa.gov/radon/ • National Environmental Health Association - www.neha-nrpp.org/ • National Radon Safety Board - www.nrsb.org • Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities - nau.edu/iaqtc/iaqtc_radon.asp • Radon podcast - http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/nac_past.shtml#jan www.nau.edu/eeop

  36. More Information nau.edu/iaqtc • Radon podcast - http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/nac_past.shtml#jan • Radio show produced by Native America Calling • Participants • Spokane Tribe – Twa-le Abrahamson • Navajo Nation – Vivian Craig • ITEP – Mansel Nelson • Callers

  37. Mold nau.edu/iaqtc

  38. Mold • Molds live in the soil, on plants, on dead or decaying organic matter • Outdoors - breaks down leaves, wood, plant debris • Indoors - air pollution and destroys buildings nau.edu/iaqtc

  39. Mold Basics - Health • People have lots of different reactions to mold • Symptoms can include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints • Molds can be found almost anywhere nau.edu/iaqtc

  40. Mold Basics – Controlling nau.edu/iaqtc • Control indoor mold growth by controlling moisture • Fix the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth • Control Indoor Humidity (30% to 60%) • Vent showers and other moisture sources to the outside • Use air conditioners and de-humidifiers as needed • Provide adequate ventilation • Use exhaust fans in food service areas

  41. Mold Basics – Controlling • Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces by adding insulation • Do not install carpeting by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors nau.edu/iaqtc

  42. Mold Basics - Cleaning • Clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture • Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely • Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles may need to be replaced nau.edu/iaqtc • Mold growth begins within 24-48 hours of getting wet • Protect staff and building occupants during cleanup cleaningnetwork.com

  43. More Information nau.edu/iaqtc EPA - www.epa.gov/mold/ Center for Indoor Environments and Health oehc.uchc.edu/CIEH.asp New York City Guidelines http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.shtml

  44. Resources from ITEP nau.edu/iaqtc • Air Quality Outreach Program (nau.edu/eeop) • Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities (IAQTC) • Technical Assistance • Web resources (nau.edu/iaqtc) • Radon Testing (nau.edu/iaqtc) • American Indian Air Quality Training Program (nau.edu/itep)

  45. Indoor Air in Tribal Schools Clean, Green and Healthy Tribal Schools Initiative Mansel A Nelson & Graylynn J. Hudson Tribal Environmental Education Outreach Program Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Northern Arizona University 928-523-1275 nau.edu/iaqtc Clean, Green and Healthy Tribal Schools Initiative

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