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‘Our job is to protect the American public where they live, work and play – and that certainly includes protecting schoolchildren where they learn.’ Administrator Lisa P. Jackson
Information for Schools |
As part of a new air toxics monitoring initiative, EPA, state and local air pollution control agencies will monitor the outdoor air around schools for pollutants known as toxic air pollutants, or air toxics. The Clean Air Act includes a list of 187 of these pollutants. Air toxics are of potential concern because exposure to high levels of these pollutants over many decades could result in long-term health effects.
EPA selected schools after evaluating a number of factors including results from an EPA computer modeling analysis, the mix of pollution sources near the schools, results from an analysis conducted for a recent newspaper series on air toxics at schools, and information from state and local air pollution agencies.
EPA and our partners at state and local air pollution control agencies will:
- collect samples of outdoor air near selected schools over 60 days,
- analyze those samples for air toxics of potential concern,
- report on levels of air toxics found and their potential for long-term health impacts,
- evaluate actions that may be needed to reduce levels of pollutants of concern, and
- take action as needed to ensure that nearby industries are in compliance with clean air regulations.
Part of EPA's mission is to reduce the amount of toxic air pollutants in the air we breathe. For several decades we have issued rules and regulations that have cut emissions of these compounds from automobiles; trucks; buses; and a wide array of industries ranging from large facilities like chemical plants, refineries, paper plants, and factories, to smaller facilities like gasoline stations and dry cleaners.
From 1990 to 2005, emissions of air toxics in the United States declined 41 percent, as a result of federal and state regulations, and local emission reduction programs. However, levels of different air toxics can vary widely from place to place depending upon a number of factors including the amount and types of industry nearby, proximity to heavily traveled or congested roadways, and weather patterns. This study will help us better understand the air around selected schools throughout the country.
This web site provides information on this initiative, the schools where we plan to begin monitoring, background information on air toxics, and links to other programs EPA has in place to protect communities and school environments. When monitoring results are available, likely starting in summer 2009 for some schools, EPA will post them on this site.
About the Project - Fact sheet summarizing the key components of this initiative
Basic Information - Background on EPA's assessment of outdoor air near schools
Map of Schools - Identifies the locations of the schools where outdoor air will be monitored
List of Schools - School names, locations, and pollutants to be monitored in tabular form
Monitored Pollutants - Information about pollutants EPA will monitor in outdoor air
Children’s Health Issues - Information of air quality, children’s health, and programs EPA sponsors for schools and children
What You Can Do - Actions you can take to reduce air pollution
Frequent Questions - Answers to common questions regarding EPA's assessment of outdoor air near schools
Related Links - Related sites offering further information and assistance
Technical Information - Links to technical documents and information used to support the monitoring initiative