The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released guidance for K-12 schools on product purchasing to support students with asthma. An estimated six million U.S. students younger than 18 are affected by asthma, the USGBC says.
“Healthy schools are critical to rebuilding our economy, and we need to prioritize decisions that allow students, teachers, janitorial staff and communities at large to feel supported and safe,” said Anisa Heming, director of the Center for Green Schools, in a news release. “Through this new guide, we’re providing actionable guidance that education leaders can put into practice now to protect millions of students.”
The Center identified four primary categories where environmentally healthy purchasing can help reduce irritants and allergens that contribute to asthma. The guidance addresses cleaning products, filters, furniture, rugs, and markers and paints.
A healthy green purchasing policy helps address common asthma triggers, such as exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), indoor allergens, and poor ventilation. The asthma prevention guidance provides a list of third-party product certifications to consider, best practices for choosing low-VOC materials, and methods for engaging school decision-makers to implement a new purchasing policy.
Related Stories
| Mar 30, 2012
Improved construction that followed seismic codes helped avert loss of life in Mexico temblor
A magnitude-7.4 earthquake that shook Mexico from Mexico City to Acapulco damaged hundreds of homes and sent thousands fleeing from swaying office buildings, yet no one was killed, according to early reports.
| Mar 30, 2012
Chicago may allow people to live in retail spaces
The Chicago City Council’s Zoning Committee approved a zoning change that will allow up to 50% of work space in low-intensity business districts to be used for living space.
| Mar 30, 2012
LEED growing fast in the housing rental market
Last year, developers of 23,000 U.S. multifamily housing units applied for LEED certification.
| Mar 30, 2012
Forest Stewardship Council critical of proposed LEED 2012 changes
According to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the third draft of LEED 2012, if approved as written, would represent a step backward from the current Certified Wood Credit.
| Mar 22, 2012
Symposium on water efficiency: How much more water can be saved?
The Third International Emerging Technology Symposium by IAPMO and the World Plumbing Council features a session on water efficiency.
| Mar 22, 2012
Broker doesn’t have to inform contractor that insurer went broke, California court rules
A California appellate court ruled that an insurance broker did not have a duty to inform a subcontractor that a project’s insurer had gone bankrupt.
| Mar 22, 2012
Public agencies shouldn’t negotiate project labor agreements, says AGC official
When a public agency rather than the contractor negotiates a PLA with unions, it interferes with the right of employers and workers to reach their own agreements on working conditions and benefits, says Steve Isenhart, president of the Associated General Contractors of Washington.
| Mar 22, 2012
Proposed rule would let crane operators get licenses without prior city experience
The Bloomberg administration is considering letting operators of giant tower cranes get their license without requiring that they first run cranes as apprentices in the city for three years.
| Mar 22, 2012
Bill would reintroduce “opt-out” provision in lead paint law
The Lead Exposure Reduction Amendments Act of 2012 (S2148) would restore the "Opt-Out" provision removed from the Environmental Protection Agency's Lead Renovate, Repair and Painting (LRRP) rule in April 2010.
