How Schools Can Stop Polluting The Environment

School pollution refers to the environmental health hazards present in and around educational institutions, which can have detrimental effects on the health and academic performance of students. The location of schools, particularly their proximity to major roadways, highways, or industrial sites, is a significant factor contributing to air pollution exposure. Studies have found that children attending schools in areas with poor air quality may face higher health risks and experience negative impacts on their educational outcomes, including reduced test scores and increased absences. Additionally, indoor air quality in schools is also a concern, as it can be affected by allergens, moulds, and diesel exhaust, exacerbating respiratory issues such as asthma. Addressing school pollution involves making strategic decisions about school siting, promoting active modes of school travel, and implementing indoor air quality (IAQ) management programs to ensure the well-being and optimal development of students.

School location and pollution

School location plays a significant role in children's exposure to air pollution, which can have both short-term and long-term impacts on their health and academic performance.

A recent NASA study found that the zip code or location of a school can indeed determine exposure to air pollution. Hispanic, Asian, and Black and African American students are often located in dense urban areas with higher concentrations of air pollution from vehicle traffic, factories, and other sources of nitrogen dioxide. In contrast, suburban students, who tend to have larger White populations, are exposed to "cleaner" air. Additionally, children from low-income families and minority groups are more likely to attend schools near major highways or polluting facilities, further exacerbating environmental injustice.

The health benefits of locating schools away from high-volume roadways are well-known. However, simply selecting sites with low levels of air pollution is not enough. School districts must carefully analyze the trade-offs between location, transportation, and pollution exposure. Busing children to a distant school in a "cleaner" area may not always reduce pollution exposure, especially if the bus commute increases their overall exposure. On the other hand, walking or biking to a nearby school located near high-volume roadways can also result in significant pollution exposure.

To address these challenges, various strategies can be implemented, such as idle reduction policies, clean school bus fleets, and improving indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools. The Clean School Bus National Idle Reduction Campaign is one example of an initiative aimed at reducing pollution exposure during school bus commutes. Additionally, the US EPA provides tools and resources to help schools implement effective IAQ management programs, improve health, and reduce absenteeism among students and staff.

In conclusion, the location of a school has a direct impact on the level of pollution exposure for students. While there are strategies to mitigate pollution exposure, careful consideration of school siting, transportation, and pollution exposure is crucial to ensure the health and well-being of children.

Air quality and health

Air pollution is a growing concern for schools, with evidence linking health issues in children to air pollution near school facilities. Children are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution than adults because their organs are still developing, and they breathe more frequently, taking in more pollutants. This can have serious consequences for their health, with respiratory illnesses and non-cancerous health effects being linked to poor air quality.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed the Air Quality Index (AQI) to communicate about outdoor air quality and health. The AQI includes six color-coded categories, each indicating a range of values representing the level of air pollution and associated health concerns. For example, an AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while a value over 300 indicates hazardous air quality. The AQI is designed to help people understand the health effects of the five most common air pollutants and how to avoid them.

The location of schools is a critical factor in children's exposure to air pollution. Schools located near high-volume roads or heavy traffic areas can expose children to high levels of traffic-related air pollution. This has led to a growing trend of schools being sited in cleaner air quality environments, requiring school bus transportation. However, studies have shown that busing children from high-traffic neighborhoods to low-traffic schools can result in higher average daily exposures to air pollution than children walking to local schools.

To address these concerns, the EPA has developed programs such as the Clean School Bus National Idle Reduction Campaign and provided tips for facility managers, principals, teachers, and parents to reduce traffic-related pollution exposure at schools. Additionally, schools can implement Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management programs to improve the health of students and staff and reduce absenteeism.

Pollution and test scores

Exposure to pollution in schools has been found to have significant negative impacts on test scores. A study by the University of Utah found that more frequent peak air pollution exposure was associated with reduced math and English language arts test scores for third graders in all primary public schools in Salt Lake County during the 2016-2017 year. The study also showed that the minimum peak pollution levels were below what the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deems "safe" levels of PM2.5, fine particulate matter responsible for hazy air pollution.

In California, hazardous air pollutant (HAP) risks were found to be negative and statistically significant predictors of lower standardized test scores. A similar association was found in a more recent study in Sacramento, California, between school-level PM2.5 and aggregate academic performance. Outside of California, researchers have examined similar questions in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, based on school proximity measures to Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) facilities. Nearly 22% of all public schools were within one mile of a TRI facility in 2016, and exposure to pollutants in these schools negatively impacted test scores.

A Yale study also found that polluted air negatively impacts children's test scores, with ethnic minorities and girls disproportionately impacted by PM2.5 levels. The study emphasizes that despite the relatively low level of ambient PM2.5 pollution in the US compared to other countries, there are still significant adverse health impacts, and students living in areas below the current air quality standards are still adversely impacted by air pollution when it comes to their test scores.

Prenatal exposure to pollution has also been found to have long-term consequences on academic achievement, with children living within two miles of an uncleaned Superfund site having a 23% increase in cognitive disabilities like learning disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, and speech and language impairments.

Highway pollution has also been found to affect students' test scores, with children attending schools near major highways more likely to be low-income or minorities. These findings have strong implications for where schools are located and raise questions about fairness, particularly if the schools serving the highest fractions of Black or low-income children are the most affected by local pollution.

To address these issues, schools can implement Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management programs and use tools and resources from the EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools to improve health and decrease student and staff absenteeism. Schools can also utilize the Clean School Bus National Idle Reduction Campaign to take action toward a cleaner, healthier environment.

Inequality and pollution

Schools can be a source of pollution, and they can also be affected by pollution from their surroundings. This can have serious consequences for the health and academic performance of students, particularly those from marginalized communities, exacerbating existing inequalities.

Sources of School Pollution

Schools can contribute to pollution through various activities and practices. For example, school buses and other vehicular traffic can emit harmful pollutants, affecting the outdoor air quality in and around the school premises. Poor maintenance of school infrastructure and improper waste disposal can also lead to pollution and hazardous conditions for students and staff.

Environmental Hazards in Schools

Schools can be exposed to environmental health hazards, such as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), which can have detrimental effects on children's health and academic performance. Studies have shown that exposure to HAPs can result in respiratory illnesses and other non-cancerous health issues. Alarmingly, schools located in low-income and minority areas tend to face greater exposure to these risks.

Inequality is a significant factor in the impact of pollution on schools. Low-income and minority communities are often disproportionately affected by pollution. In the United States, it has been observed that African American, Hispanic, and low-income families are more likely to live near sources of pollution, such as toxic waste sites and industrial facilities. This proximity to pollution contributes to negative cognitive and health outcomes, with children experiencing learning disabilities, autism, and increased behavioural incidents in school.

Additionally, the locations of schools themselves can contribute to inequality. Schools serving predominantly Black or low-income student populations may be more affected by local pollution sources, such as nearby highways or industrial sites. This further exacerbates the educational gap, as pollution has been linked to lower test scores and increased absences.

Addressing Inequality in Pollution

Addressing inequality in pollution requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, access to local air quality data is essential, enabling communities and policymakers to understand and address specific pollution issues. Community-led initiatives and campaigns, such as those supported by organizations like the Clean Air Fund, can drive policy changes that improve air quality and health outcomes. Additionally, it is crucial to involve the voices of marginalized communities, particularly those most affected by air pollution, in campaigns and policy debates on clean air. By ensuring inclusive decision-making, historical and present-day inequalities can be addressed, leading to fairer and more effective solutions.

Pollution sources and solutions

Outdoor Air Pollution

Sources of outdoor air pollution near schools include nearby highways, trucking routes, and roads with heavy traffic. In the US, about 8,000 public schools are within 500 feet of these high-traffic areas, and over 6.4 million children attend these schools. Additionally, schools may be located close to TRI sites (local factories or federal plants that emit harmful pollutants). In 2016, nearly 22% of all US public schools were within one mile of a TRI facility.

Solutions:

• School districts should consider locating schools in areas with cleaner air quality, even if this increases the need for school bus transportation.
• Schools can implement strategies to reduce traffic-related pollution exposure, such as joining the Clean School Bus National Idle Reduction Campaign.
• Schools can use flags based on the US EPA's Air Quality Index to notify communities about outdoor air quality conditions.

Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor air pollution in schools can include pollutants such as dust, mould, pollen, and harmful gases like carbon monoxide. Poor indoor air quality can be caused by inadequate building maintenance and upgrades.

Solutions:

• Schools should prioritize indoor air quality (IAQ) by implementing IAQ management programs.
• Air quality monitors can help identify sources of indoor pollutants so that schools can address them effectively.

Health and Academic Consequences of School Pollution

Exposure to school pollution has been linked to various health issues in children, including respiratory problems, allergies, asthma, and chronic conditions like heart disease. It can also lead to decreased concentration, increased absenteeism, and cognitive impairment, affecting learning capabilities and test scores.

Solutions:

• Schools should work with their communities to address the health consequences of pollution, especially during extreme weather events or infectious disease outbreaks.
• By improving indoor air quality, schools can help reduce health issues and improve academic performance and overall community health.

Frequently asked questions