Pollution's Impact On Campuses: A Student Health Concern

Colleges and universities are increasingly expected to take an active role in creating and modelling solutions to environmental problems. However, there is a lack of information available to show how successful they are in carrying out this mission. While colleges and universities have long been associated with gorgeous tree-lined walkways, they also deal with numerous environmental issues. University campuses can be environments with poor air quality, and the activities carried out within them can generate adverse environmental impacts. For example, universities often operate their own power plants, which struggle to curb emissions. In addition, many universities have separate buildings and a transient population of students, which further complicates environmental issues.

Air pollution and health risks

Air pollution is one of the most pressing environmental concerns globally, and it poses significant risks to the health and well-being of individuals, including those on college campuses. Poor air quality can have both short-term and long-term adverse effects on the health of students, faculty, and staff, impacting their productivity, cognitive performance, and overall quality of life.

Sources of Air Pollution on College Campuses

College campuses can be environments with poor air quality due to various sources of pollution. One significant contributor is the combustion of fossil fuels by power plants operated by universities to meet their heating and cooling needs. These power plants often burn dirty fuel sources such as coal, fuel oil, or natural gas, releasing harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. In addition, construction activities, automobile mechanical wear, and material incineration on or near campuses can further contribute to air pollution levels.

Health Risks Associated with Air Pollution

The health risks associated with air pollution on college campuses are extensive. Exposure to atmospheric pollutants, especially particulate matter (PM), has been linked to an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, exacerbations of asthma, lung cancer, and decreased life expectancy. Air pollution can also lead to a range of negative cognitive outcomes, including reduced memory, lower academic test scores, and impaired decision-making abilities.

Additionally, poor indoor air quality in on-campus housing, often caused by aging buildings with inadequate ventilation, can result in the growth of mold, which is a common indoor air pollutant. Exposure to mold spores can cause various health issues, ranging from allergic reactions such as sneezing and itchy eyes to more severe respiratory infections like pneumonia and asthma.

Addressing Air Pollution and Health Risks

To mitigate the health risks associated with air pollution on college campuses, universities should prioritize adopting sustainable practices and improving air quality monitoring. This includes transitioning to cleaner energy sources, such as renewable energy, and implementing measures to reduce emissions from power plants and other on-campus activities.

Furthermore, universities should invest in modernizing and maintaining campus infrastructure, particularly dormitories and ventilation systems, to ensure optimal indoor air quality. Proactive approaches, such as regular maintenance, dehumidification, and air quality testing, can help prevent mold growth and other air quality issues.

By addressing air pollution and prioritizing the health and well-being of their campus communities, colleges and universities can create a safer and more conducive environment for students to thrive academically and personally.

Poor indoor air quality

Firstly, ageing campus buildings with inadequate ventilation systems contribute to poor indoor air quality. Small, underlit rooms with limited airflow create the perfect environment for mould to thrive, as moisture accumulates in these spaces. Mould is a common indoor air pollutant in dormitories, and exposure to it can cause various health issues, including sneezing, a stuffy nose, itchy or red eyes and skin, and chest tightness. These symptoms can be seasonal or long-term, and in severe cases, mould exposure can lead to pneumonia, asthma, and other respiratory infections.

Additionally, universities often face competing funding interests, which can result in a neglect of maintenance and a backlog of repairs. Instead, funding may be prioritised for the construction of new buildings, allowing issues like mould to persist and potentially affect a more significant number of students.

To address these issues, universities can take several proactive measures. Firstly, prioritising the modernisation of dormitories and improving ventilation systems is essential. This includes allocating more funding towards upgrading ageing facilities and HVAC systems, as well as implementing preventative solutions such as renovating rain guards, waterproofing foundations, and installing central air. Secondly, universities should ensure adequate maintenance staffing by earmarking funding for maintenance aligned with a comprehensive plan. Finally, listening to and acting upon student feedback is crucial. Creating formal feedback mechanisms and platforms for constructive dialogue between students and key university personnel can help identify and address indoor air quality issues promptly.

Environmental initiatives

The following are some strategies colleges and universities can adopt to reduce pollution and improve sustainability:

• Increase renewable energy usage: Colleges can transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal for their power needs. This not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also demonstrates a commitment to environmental sustainability.
• Construct "green" buildings: New buildings on campus can be designed with energy efficiency in mind, incorporating features such as efficient lighting, heating, and ventilation systems. Additionally, the use of renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly construction materials can further reduce the carbon footprint of these buildings.
• Switch to electric or biodiesel for campus vehicles: By transitioning to electric or biodiesel-powered vehicles for campus transportation and maintenance, colleges can significantly reduce air pollution and their carbon footprint. This includes vehicles used for campus maintenance, student transportation, and security services.
• Improve waste management practices: Colleges generate various types of waste, including hazardous and non-hazardous laboratory waste. Proper waste management practices, such as providing adequate training to students and staff, ensuring easy access to waste disposal containers and labels, and implementing recycling programs, can help reduce pollution and promote sustainability.
• Address mould and dampness in campus housing: Mould and dampness in campus housing can have negative impacts on students' physical and mental health. Colleges should prioritize addressing these issues by improving ventilation, waterproofing foundations, and promptly responding to maintenance requests to create healthier living environments for students.
• Expand environmental education: While some colleges offer environmental studies programs, there is a need to expand environmental literacy across all disciplines. By integrating environmental topics into a wider range of courses, colleges can ensure that graduates from all majors have a basic understanding of environmental issues and their potential solutions.
• Encourage sustainable transportation: Colleges can promote sustainable transportation options to reduce congestion and pollution associated with travel to and from campuses. This includes offering discounted bus passes, carpooling programs, and incentives for students, staff, and faculty to use more environmentally friendly modes of transportation.

Energy and water conservation

Energy Conservation

• Renewable Energy Sources: Nearly a quarter of colleges meet at least some of their energy needs from renewable sources. Examples include photovoltaic panels, geothermal heat pumps, waste heat, solar hydrogen, and fuel cells. Embracing these clean energy alternatives can significantly reduce a campus's carbon footprint and pollution levels.
• Energy Efficiency: Most colleges have programs or plans to increase the energy efficiency of lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Simple measures like lighting retrofits can make a big difference. Additionally, over half of the schools have developed efficiency design codes for new or existing buildings, ensuring that energy efficiency is considered from the outset.
• Modernize Infrastructure: Many colleges struggle with aging infrastructure, including outdated boilers and power plants that burn dirty fuels like coal and fuel oil. Upgrading to modern, energy-efficient systems and exploring cleaner fuel sources can drastically reduce emissions and improve air quality.
• Energy Conservation Coordinators: Some colleges have designated energy conservation coordinators who are responsible for implementing and overseeing energy conservation initiatives. This dedicated role ensures that energy conservation receives the necessary attention and expertise.

Water Conservation

• Water-Efficient Fixtures: Many colleges have installed efficient toilets, showerheads, and faucets to reduce water consumption. This simple step can lead to significant water savings without compromising functionality.
• Water Recirculation and Recycling: Some campuses go beyond efficient fixtures by recirculating water and even recycling water for landscape irrigation. These practices ensure that water is used more sustainably and reduce the demand for fresh water supplies.
• Water Conservation Goals: Colleges can set and periodically review goals for water conservation, ensuring that it remains a priority. This proactive approach allows them to identify areas for improvement and track their progress over time.

By implementing these and other sustainable practices, colleges and universities can play a pivotal role in fostering a greener future while also educating their students and the wider community about the importance of energy and water conservation.

Waste management

Colleges and universities generate a wide variety of waste, particularly those that offer a range of science degrees. While most people are familiar with the concept of non-hazardous waste and recycling (such as food trash, paper, and bottles), laboratory settings produce waste that is more challenging to manage. This includes non-hazardous, hazardous, infectious, and radioactive waste, which must be handled, labelled, and disposed of correctly.

To ensure proper waste management, colleges can:

• Provide frequent training for students working in laboratories so they understand the requirements.
• Ensure it is easy for students to find out who to contact if they have questions (for example, by putting up signs or providing online information).
• Encourage each laboratory to have a waste person who spends extra time understanding the waste requirements and can help others.
• Ensure laboratories are stocked with the necessary labels and containers for correct waste disposal.
• Compile a list of chemicals used and provide details on how to handle each one.

Additionally, colleges can implement initiatives to reduce waste and increase recycling:

• Construct "green" buildings.
• Increase renewable energy usage.
• Switch to electric or biodiesel for campus vehicles.
• Track and report campus recycling.
• Recycle more than just paper, plastics, and aluminum (e.g., cell phones, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, ink cartridges, etc.).

Three key waste challenges that colleges and universities face are breaks, the end of the semester, and contamination. Campuses can be bustling one month and then nearly empty the next, which presents unique waste management issues. At the end of the semester, a large volume of waste is generated, including gently used furniture and clothing. Colleges can address this by embracing reusing, recycling, and donating items. Lastly, contamination of waste and recycling bins is a challenge and requires the buy-in of students to ensure the correct items are placed in the correct bins. A waste audit can help to identify solutions to this issue.

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