HealthySchoolEnvironment-TexasDepartmentofState.pdfVIP

THE TEXAS GUIDE TO SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAMS 741 Chapter 14 HEALTHY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT Indoor Air Quality Pest Management Lighting at School Promoting Healthy Computer Use Protective Eyewear in Schools Animals in the Classroom School Building Requirements THE TEXAS GUIDE TO SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAMS 742 THE TEXAS GUIDE TO SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAMS 743 Healthy School Environment Maintaining a healthy school environment is critical to the success of students in our schools. A healthy school environment includes safeguarding the rights of students, faculty, and staff, and maintaining a safe work environment and a healthy atmosphere. Included are methods conducive to creating a setting and atmosphere that is physically, mentally, and psychologically supportive. Indoor Air Quality The indoor air quality of schools is a growing concern across the nation. During the last several decades, exposure to indoor air pollution has increased. Construction of tightly sealed buildings, reduced ventilation rates to save energy, synthetic materials in buildings and furnishings, and chemicals in consumer goods are some of the reasons that indoor pollution is increasing. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times and occasionally 100 times higher than outdoor levels of pollutants. This situation is of concern because the ma