The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a new air toxics monitoring initiative that will Analise the air outside 62 schools in 22 states.   The schools are all in areas which according to government data, are determined to be toxic hot spots. 

The $2.25 million program will involve the EPA as well as state and local air pollution control agencies.  Here are the simplified goals of the plan according to the EPA’s website:

• 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.

The EPA acknowledges that this program comes in the wake of a recent USA Today study which used government data to show that air outside 435 schools was more toxic than than air outside Meredeth Hitchens Elementary.  Hitchens Elementary was an Ohio school closed in 2005 after the Ohio EPA discovered air born carcinogen concentrations 50 times higher than acceptable state levels.

Speaking to USA Today EPA administrate Linda Jackson said:

"Your stories raised important questions that merit investigation and that’s what we’re doing, we want parent to know that the places there children live, play, and learn, are safe."

The EPA project will focus on "air toxics",  hazardous air pollutants suspected to cause cancer and serious health effects.  Under the Clean Air Act the EPA regulates emissions of 187 air toxics.   The monitoring will measure two forms of pollution: gases, such as benzene, and pollutants in particle form such as hexavalent chromium, manganese, or lead.

It’s great to see the EPA acting on this.  It is well known that children are even more susceptible to toxic chemicals than adults because they breathe more air in proportion to their weight than adults. Clean air should be a given for children in their learning environment.  

Tags: 'hexavalent chromium', "air toxics" EPA, air toxics, Benzene, EPA, hexavalent chromium, Information-News, lead, manganese