This article features a report on states and school districts spending almost $600 billion on building and renovating schools from 1995 to 2004, an amount that far exceed earlier expectations. The report also emphasized the uneven facilities spending between minority and affluent districts. Besides receiving the least money for facilities, the…

Discusses a proactive approach to maintaining and improving the indoor environment through proper purchasing, maintaining, and recycling of carpeting. Considerations regarding vinyl asbestos tile removal and abatement are also discussed. (GR)

When asbestos is discovered in a school, close the school and call the Environmental Protection Agency, then designate one administrator as a spokesperson for the media. It is important not only to manage the problem but to deal well with the public and the press, too. (MD)

Examines the types of damage experienced by California State University at Northridge during the 1994 earthquake and what lessons were learned in handling this emergency are discussed. The problem of loose asbestos is addressed. (GR)

Campus construction is projected to boom as colleges and universities catch up on deferred maintenance and replace outdated classrooms and laboratories. Severe problems identified include roofs, heating systems, asbestos removal, and electical systems. (LB)

Points out that children are uniquely susceptible to toxic substances. Describes the hazards that asbestos, pesticides, and art materials pose to children. Offers practical advice for dealing with common problems encountered in child care programs. (RJC)

A Connecticut district's stringent asbestos removal and testing program is described, which applies a modified National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health-Occupational Safety and Health Administration (NIOSH-OSHA) test as a standard of acceptable removal. (MJL)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate existing manual methods for analyzing asbestos, beryllium, lead, cadmium, selenium, and mercury, and from this evaluation to provide the best and most practical set of analytical methods for measuring emissions of these elements from stationary sources. The work in this study was divided into two phases.…

Chemicals, asbestos, lead, and other substances used in classrooms, labs, art studios, and school lunchrooms pose risks to both students and teachers. Yet little is being done in a comprehensive manner to eliminate these risks. (Author/GC)

Examines the five major threats to healthy school buildings: sick building syndrome; health-threatening building materials; environmental hazards such as radon gas and asbestos; lead poisoning; and general indoor air quality. Discusses ways to assess and address them. (SR)

This report is a comparative analysis of K-12 school planning and design criteria. A state-by-state survey was conducted to evaluate the degree of state government involvement and the differences in each state. A questionnaire sought information on funding, state planning requirements, site and building sizes, pupil/teacher ratios, building design…

Presents evaluation of state-certified asbestos abatement training program to evaluate appropriateness and effectiveness of training against actual work experiences. Survey administered to trainees (n=114) indicates most (78 percent) passed retest on course content, the course received an average effectiveness rating of 92 percent, and actual work…

Describes ideas that center directors developed for (1) planning and evaluation; (2) the emergency relocation of a center that had been contaminated by asbestos; (3) fund raising for community-run centers; and (4) the development of good parent-center relations. (MDM)

School systems should test the air in every school building for the presence and level of contaminants such as radon and asbestos and whether the ventilation system is circulating the proper amount of air. Periodic maintenance is required for all mechanical systems. (MLF)

Describes how school districts, with the help of a good architect, can construct or renovate schools and avoid most environmental hazards. Issues concerning indoor air quality, asbestos, lead poisoning, ergonomics, and adverse exposure to radon and electric and magnetic fields are addressed. (GR)