Early results show no immediate problem, says EPA.
So far, so good.
That’s the message from the Environmental Protection Agency this afternoon, about air quality at two schools in Oregon. Earlier this year the EPA started monitoring air quality at 63 schools around the country, including Harriet Tubman Middle School in Portland and Toledo Elementary in Toledo.
The early results are “good news” according to Suzanne Skadowski of EPA’s Seattle office. The level of pollutants found near the schools are, in her words, “Way below the levels we’ve set for concern in the short-term”.
But the EPA also warns against drawing conclusions so early in the monitoring process. The real concern is the potential health problems for students, teachers and staff from long-term exposure. Skadowski says the agency will continue to sample air quality at both schools for about another month. Updated results, showing long-term effects, are expected to be released by the end of the year.
The Harriet Tubman Middle School was chosen for the study because it represents a school close to heavy industry and a major interstate, I-5 in this case. The major pollutants being studied are acetaldehyde, manganese and nickel. Sources for these pollutants include vehicle exhaust and manufacturing. Another source of acetaldehyde is coffee roasting.
Toledo Elementary was put on the list because it’s near a Georgia-Pacific mill. The major pollutant being studied here is manganese.
For more information see:
EPA: Assessing Outdoor Air Near Schools
Harriet Tubman Middle School Short-Term Test Results
Toledo Elementary Short-Term Test Results
You can also see my earlier story on this topic, EPA To Study Air Quality At Two Oregon Schools.
