An appropriate public health goal should be to prevent or reduce the incidence of potentially problematic damp indoor environments, that is, environments that may be associated with undesirable health effects, particularly in vulnerable populations... (IOM, Damp Indoor Spaces and Health, 2004)
SMH Supporter Login
HIGH PERFORMANCE-GREEN BUILDINGS PROVISIONS SIGNED INTO LAW: EPA TO IMPROVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS
Dec. 19th, 2007: Important announcement: School and federal building environmental health provisions of S. 506 have been signed into law by President Bush, as part of "The Energy Bill".
Wet, moldy ceiling in CA school: a phenomenon to end?
Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007 ("The Energy Bill") includes:
SEC. 461. HEALTHY HIGH-PERFORMANCE SCHOOLS
SEC. 501. GRANTS FOR HEALTHY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS
SEC. 502. MODEL GUIDELINES FOR SITING OF SCHOOL FACILITIES
SEC. 503. PUBLIC OUTREACH
SEC. 504. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
SEC. 505. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
see complete text by clicking Read more, below...
The Center for School Mold Help (SMH) provided written commentary during the development of this bill, last spring and summer, educating the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on the problems schools face with dampness and mold. The bill was further developed and passed both the Senate and House, inserted into the Energy bill, now signed into law. This begins a new day, where we shall see a US government focus on healthy school environments, something lacking to date.
To read the SMH commentary sent to the EPW committee for consideration during their hearing May 2007, click (.pdf) or (.doc).
To read SMH articles and watch video of hearing testimony and comments see Read more, below.
To support SMH in its efforts to educate government agencies and legislators about school mold problems, click here.
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ("The Energy Bill") includes:
SEC. 461. HEALTHY HIGH-PERFORMANCE SCHOOLS.
(a) Amendment- The Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new title:
TITLE V--HEALTHY HIGH-PERFORMANCE SCHOOLS
SEC. 501. GRANTS FOR HEALTHY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS.
(a) In General- The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of
Education, may provide grants to States for use in--
(1) providing technical assistance for programs of the Environmental
Protection Agency (including the Tools for Schools Program and the Healthy
School Environmental Assessment Tool) to schools for use in addressing
environmental issues; and
(2) development and implementation of State school environmental health
programs that include--
(A) standards for school building design, construction, and renovation; and
(B) identification of ongoing school building environmental problems,
including contaminants, hazardous substances, and pollutant emissions, in
the State and recommended solutions to address those problems, including
assessment of information on the exposure of children to environmental
hazards in school facilities.
(b) Sunset- The authority of the Administrator to carry out this section
shall expire 5 years after the date of enactment of this section.
SEC. 502. MODEL GUIDELINES FOR SITING OF SCHOOL FACILITIES.
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section, the
Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall issue voluntary school site
selection guidelines that account for--
(1) the special vulnerability of children to hazardous substances or
pollution exposures in any case in which the potential for contamination
at a potential school site exists;
(2) modes of transportation available to students and staff; (3) the efficient use of energy; and
(4) the potential use of a school at the site as an emergency shelter.
SEC. 503. PUBLIC OUTREACH.
(a) Reports- The Administrator shall publish and submit to Congress an
annual report on all activities carried out under this title, until the
expiration of authority described in section 501(b).
(b) Public Outreach- The Federal Director appointed under section 436(a)
of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (in this title
referred to as the `Federal Director', (NB- of new Office of Green
Buildings in General Services Administration) shall ensure, to the maximum
extent practicable, that the public clearinghouse established under
section 423(1) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
receives and makes available information on the exposure of children to
environmental hazards in school facilities, as provided by the
Administrator.
Sec. 504, the Environmental Health Section of the law:
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
SEC. 504. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and other relevant agencies, shall issue voluntary guidelines for use by the State in developing and implementing an environmental health program for schools that—
(1) takes into account the status and findings of Federal initiatives established under this title or subtitle C of title IV of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and other relevant Federal law with respect to school facilities, including relevant updates on trends in the field, such asthe impact of school facility environments on student and staff
(A) health, safety, and productivity; and
(B) disabilities or special needs;
(2) takes into account studies using relevant tools identified or developed in accordance with section 492 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007;
(3) takes into account, with respect to school facilities, each of
(A) environmental problems, contaminants, hazardous substances, and pollutant emissions, including ‘‘(i) lead from drinking water; ‘‘(ii) lead from materials and products; ‘‘(iii) asbestos; ‘‘(iv) radon; ‘‘(v) the presence of elemental mercury releases from products and containers; ‘‘(vi) pollutant emissions from materials and products; and ‘‘(vii) any other environmental problem, contaminant, hazardous substance, or pollutant emission that present or may present a risk to the health of occupants of the school facilities or environment;
(B) natural day lighting;
(C) ventilation choices and technologies;
(D) heating and cooling choices and technologies;
(E) moisture control and mold;
(F) maintenance, cleaning, and pest control activities;
(G) acoustics; and
(H) other issues relating to the health, comfort, productivity, and performance of occupants of the school facilities;
(4) provides technical assistance on siting, design, management, and operation of school facilities, including facilities used by students with disabilities or special needs;
(5) collaborates with federally funded pediatric environmental health centers to assist in on-site school environmental investigations;
(6) assists States and the public in better understanding and improving the environmental health of children; and
(7) takes into account the special vulnerability of children in low-income and minority communities to exposures from contaminants, hazardous substances, and pollutant emissions." (source: Center for Health and Environmental Justice)
SEC. 505. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title
$1,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, and $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years
2010 through 2013, to remain available until expended.'.
(b) Table of Contents Amendment- The table of contents for the Toxic
Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
TITLE V--HEALTHY HIGH-PERFORMANCE SCHOOLS
Sec. 501. Grants for healthy school environments.
Sec. 502. Model guidelines for siting of school facilities.
Sec. 503. Public outreach.
Sec. 504. Environmental health program.
Sec. 505. Authorization of appropriations...
SEC. 462. STUDY ON INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY IN SCHOOLS.
(a) In General- The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
shall enter into an arrangement with the Secretary of Education and the
Secretary of Energy to conduct a detailed study of how sustainable
building features such as energy efficiency affect multiple perceived
indoor environmental quality stressors on students in K-12 schools.
(b) Contents-
The study shall--
(1) investigate the combined effect building stressors such as heating,
cooling, humidity, lighting, and acoustics have on building occupants'
health, productivity, and overall well-being;
(2) identify how sustainable building features, such as energy efficiency,
are influencing these human outcomes singly and in concert; and
(3) ensure that the impacts of the indoor environmental quality are
evaluated as a whole.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be
appropriated for carrying out this section $200,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2008 through 2012.
The Center for School Mold Help (SMH) provided written commentary during the development of this bill, last spring and summer, educating the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on the problems schools face with dampness and mold. The bill was further developed and passed both the Senate and House, inserted into the Energy bill, now signed into law. This begins a new day, where we shall see a US government focus on healthy school environments, something lacking to date.
To read the SMH commentary sent to the EPW committee for consideration during their hearing May 2007, click (.pdf) or (.doc).
To read SMH articles and watch video of hearing testimony and comments see Read more, below.
To support SMH in its efforts to educate government agencies and legislators about school mold problems, click here.
Bill would improve air quality, reduce emissions, combat global warming by making federal government buildings more energy efficient and environmentally sound
Contact: Press Office (202) 224-3224
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Legislation Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) authored to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality and environmental impact of our nation’s federal buildings is now federal law. The measure was part of a broader energy bill that President Bush signed today.
“We know greenhouse gases lead to global warming, and as temperatures rise, our planet suffers the consequences. Right now, the government is a major contributor to that problem. By improving the design and energy efficiency of federal buildings, government will now become part of the solution. I am glad my bill to help lower the government’s utility bills and improve our air quality is now law,” Sen. Lautenberg said.
Buildings, from small apartment complexes to skyscrapers, account for 40 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and the federal government is the largest single landlord in the country, owning and leasing approximately 500,000 buildings. On average, federal buildings consume 40 percent more energy per square foot than nongovernmental buildings and require more than $3.5 billion for energy costs.
To help the government reduce those emissions, as well as to improve the health of its building’s occupants, Sen. Lautenberg’s High Performance Green Buildings Act creates an Office of High-Performance Green Buildings within the General Services Administration. The Office will coordinate research and development on ways for government buildings to become “green,” sustainable and healthy. Information will also be available to the public on the latest developments in green building, including the technology, studies and best practices from the private sector.
After the Senate passed Sen. Lautenberg’s measure as an addition to the energy bill earlier this year, the conference between the House and Senate kept Lautenberg’s legislation in the final version of the bill. Major provisions of the energy bill include increasing the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks and decreasing our dependence on foreign oil by investing in bio-fuels.
Sen. Lautenberg is a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and authored the High Performance Green Buildings Act of 2007 that passed. Cosponsors of the bill included Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chair of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, Sen. John Warner (R-VA), Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and 11 other senators. The legislation also provides $10 million over five years for grants to states to help improve the environmental and health impact of local schools on children.
Contact: Press Office (202) 224-3224
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg issued the following statement after the energy bill was signed into law:
“This energy bill represents an important step forward in America’s energy future. It increases the fuel efficiency of our vehicles, which will save consumers at the pump, and help fight global warming. This bill also makes real investments in bio-fuels to decrease our dependence on foreign oil, and includes my legislation to improve the energy efficiency of federal buildings and air quality in our schools.
This energy bill is part of the forward-looking energy policy our country needs to reduce energy costs and the greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global warming.”
# # #
Contacts
Newark Office
One Gateway Center
Twenty-Third Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973)-639-8700
Toll Free: 1-888-398-1642
Fax: (973) 639-8723
Camden Office
One Port Center
Suite 505, Fifth Floor
2 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ 08101
Phone: (856) 338-8922
Fax: (856) 338-8936
Washington, DC
Hart Senate Office Building
Suite 324
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3224
TTY: (202) 224-2087
Fax: (202) 228-4054
President Bush & Congress Instruct EPA to Establish 1st Ever Federal Guidelines
to Protect School Sitings From Toxic Contamination
FALLS CHURCH, Va., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by Center for Health, Environment & Justice:
WHAT: Today, by signing into law the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ("The Energy Bill"), the President has instructed the EPA to develop the nation's first-ever guidelines to give state legislatures direction when it comes to laws protecting where schools may be physically sited in relationship to toxic contamination sites. Prior to today's bill becoming law, no such federal instruction existed.
The school siting guidelines instruction is part of a larger section in the law on High Performance School Buildings which will help schools identify, track and improve indoor air quality problems.
"Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
‘‘SEC. 504. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and other relevant agencies, shall issue voluntary guidelines for use by the State in developing and implementing an environmental health program for schools that—
‘‘(1) takes into account the status and findings of Federal initiatives established under this title or subtitle C of title IV of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and other relevant Federal law with respect to school facilities, including relevant updates on trends in the field, such as the impact of school facility environments on student and staff ‘‘(A) health, safety, and productivity; and ‘‘(B) disabilities or special needs; ‘‘(2) takes into account studies using relevant tools identified or developed in accordance with section 492 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007; ‘‘(3) takes into account, with respect to school facilities, each of ‘‘(A) environmental problems, contaminants, hazardous substances, and pollutant emissions, including ‘‘(i) lead from drinking water; ‘‘(ii) lead from materials and products; ‘‘(iii) asbestos; ‘‘(iv) radon; ‘‘(v) the presence of elemental mercury releases from products and containers; ‘‘(vi) pollutant emissions from materials and products; and ‘‘(vii) any other environmental problem, contaminant, hazardous substance, or pollutant emission that present or may present a risk to the health of occupants of the school facilities or environment; ‘‘(B) natural day lighting; ‘‘(C) ventilation choices and technologies; ‘‘(D) heating and cooling choices and technologies; ‘‘(E) moisture control and mold; ‘‘(F) maintenance, cleaning, and pest control activities; ‘‘(G) acoustics; and ‘‘(H) other issues relating to the health, comfort, productivity, and performance of occupants of the school facilities; ‘‘(4) provides technical assistance on siting, design, management, and operation of school facilities, including facilities used by students with disabilities or special needs; ‘‘(5) collaborates with federally funded pediatric environmental health centers to assist in on-site school environmental investigations; ‘‘(6) assists States and the public in better understanding and improving the environmental health of children; and ‘‘(7) takes into account the special vulnerability of children in low-income and minority communities to exposures from contaminants, hazardous substances, and pollutant emissions."
HISTORY: From contamination of the 99TH Street School at Love Canal, NY leading up to today's legislation
In 1978, led by Lois Gibbs, Love Canal residents discover a toxic waste site located next to the 99th Street Public School. Toxic chemicals from the nearby Hooker Chemical Toxic Waste Dump, later sold to Occidental in the 1950s, were leaking into the nearby schoolyard of the 99th Street Public School and contaminating students as well as the community. As part of the nation's focus on the contamination at Love Canal, in years following, national collaborative work on children's environmental health including school sitings began. For more information on school siting or to read case studies of contaminated schools: http://www.childproofing.org/school_siting.htm
2002, Child Proofing Our Communities (CPOC), a CHEJ program to prevent environmental health harm to children, developed the only existing National Model School Siting Policy guidelines to help state groups advance protective school siting policies for their states: http://www.childproofing.org/documents/school_siting_model_legislation.pdf
October 1, 2002, Lois Gibbs testifies before the United States Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, calling upon the Senate to pass federal guidelines preventing schools from being located close to contaminated sites: http://www.childproofing.org/school_siting_gibbs_testimony.htm
2005, working in conjunction with the Rhode Island Legal Services, CHEJ/CPOC released survey findings from all fifty states; forty-five of America's states had no school siting laws to prevent building a school on a toxic site: http://www.childproofing.org/school_siting_50_state.htm
December 19, 2007, President Bush signs into law the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, asking for the first-ever federal guidelines for states when they consider protective policies for school building siting.
QUOTE: "These instructions by the President are the silver lining in an otherwise cloudy energy bill. The instruction for federal guidelines to be developed to protect our children is far too long in coming. Locating a school near a toxic waste site is utterly inexcusable. Exposing children to known, harmful chemicals is not something that should ever happen in America. Congress made the only correct decision it could in including this instruction to the EPA for guidelines as part of today's Energy Bill," Lois Gibbs, founder and executive director, Center for Health, Environment & Justice. "We applaud the President and Congress for including this action. The next step is for state legislatures, governors and elected leaders to use the guidelines to develop common sense, preventative legislation in each of the forty-five states currently without legislation on their books which would prevent harm from coming to children attending schools located near toxic waste sites."
About CHEJ
The Center for Health, Environment & Justice exists to mentor the movement to build healthier communities by empowering people to prevent harm in as many ways, and for as many people, as possible. We believe this can happen when people and groups have the power to play an integral role in promoting human health and environmental integrity. CHEJ's role is to provide the tools, the direction, and the encouragement to these people and groups, so that they can build strong, healthy communities where they live, work, learn, shop, play and pray. Following her successful effort to prevent further harm for the people living in contaminated Love Canal, Lois Gibbs founded CHEJ in 1981 in order to continue mentoring others seeking to prevent harm. CHEJ provides mentoring assistance to communities, homeowners, families and individuals throughout the country. To date, CHEJ has assisted over 10,000 groups nationwide. Currently, CHEJ is mentoring community groups in Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Ohio. Details on CHEJ's efforts to help people and communities prevent harm can be found at http://www.chej.org/.
Center for Health, Environment & Justice
NEW ENERGY BILL
COALITION LAUDS HIGH PERFORMANCE-GREEN BUILDINGS ACT: US EPA TO WORK WITH STATES ON SCHOOLS
(Washington, DC, December 19)
As President Bush signed the Energy Bill today, he enacted the High Performance Green Buildings Act of 2007 (S 506, Lautenberg, et al), widely supported by education, public health, and environment groups who support authorizing US EPA to work with state agencies to address school environmental concerns and school siting.
Said Claire Barnett, Executive Director, Healthy Schools Network and Coordinator, Coalition for Healthier Schools, “54 million children in 120,000 school buildings—too many of which present unacceptable health and learning threats—is our national priority. Science shows that children and their schools reap enormous benefits with healthier, greener learning environments, even greater that energy savings. We commend President Bush, Senator Lautenberg, Senator Boxer, and the bipartisan leaders of the Senate and the House who united around this landmark bill.”
Among the first-time ever provisions, EPA may offer grant programs to state agencies to create school environmental quality plans; to create federal guidelines for the siting of schools, taking into account children’s environmental vulnerabilities and transportation modes; and, advised by the federal Centers of Disease Control, to create model guidelines for environmental health programs to protect children from hazards in schools.
Barnett chaired two US EPA Work Groups on school environments and is the founder of Healthy Schools Network, a national not for profit organization that does research, education, and advocacy, and a co-founder of the national Coalition. This month the Network received a National Special Achievements Award from US EPA’s Indoor Air Quality program and earlier received a “CHPS Champion” award from the California-based Collaborative for High Performance Schools for promoting IAQ in school design.
For more Statements on the bill signing: American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Doreen Croser, 202-387-1968; American Federation of Teachers, George Jackson, 202-393-4275; American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees-International, Public Affairs, 202-429-1145; National Education Association, Media Relations, 202-822-7405.
