CNN’s Dr. Gupta Reports: Poor Indoor Air Quality in Schools

The condition of Americas’ schools and the health hazards posed by poor indoor air quality (IAQ).

According to CNN an estimated 14 million American children attend public schools that are in urgent need of extensive repair or replacement and have unhealthy environmental conditions, including poor air quality, unsafe drinking water and inadequate safety systems.

A national survey of school nurses found that 40 percent knew children and staff adversely affected by indoor pollutants

Indoor air affects more than health. A growing body of research suggests students also perform better in schools with healthier air.

“If you get an unhealthy building, you’re not going to have a successful

school,” said Lily Eskelsen, vice president of the National Education Association, the largest teachers’ union in the United States. “Asthma is the number one chronic illness that keeps kids out of school, and it’s growing,” Eskelsen added.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indicates about one in 10 children in the United States now has asthma, which causes them to miss an average of four days of school a year.

According to TheDenverChannel.com, Dr. John Santilli, a Connecticut allergist, says he has treated dozens of students sickened by school air. Even when children don’t miss school, he said, the medications they take for asthma and conditions like rhinitis, an allergic reaction to mold or dust, can make it harder for them to do their best work. “They’re on antihistamines, they’re on nasal sprays, they’re on asthma medications, and this limits their ability to perform,” Santilli said. “These kids can’t concentrate. They can’t focus on what’s going on.” Dr. Santilli says about 20% to 30% of people are susceptible to mold or dust, which triggers an allergic reaction. The resulting symptoms can include itchy eyes, runny nose, coughing, headaches, fatigue, even memory problems and slowed thinking.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states that poor indoor air quality can cause illness requiring absence from school, and can cause acute health symptoms that decrease performance while at school. Researchers at the New York state Health Department found a correlation between building maintenance at the public schools and hospitalizations for asthma.

On a positive note, there are some school districts that are taking a proactive role in IAQ maintenance. Charlotte County School District in Florida, is doing their part and have implemented a “Green HVAC Cleaning” program to not only save energy but also to improve indoor air quality and mitigate long-term health risks and allergies associated with indoor air pollutants.

http://www.transworldnews.com/999819/a7081/cnns-dr-sanjay-gupta-reports-poor-indoor-air-quality-in-schools-sickens-students.

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