Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, USA.
O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, USA.
Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care. 2023 Apr;53(4):101407. doi: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2023.101407. Epub 2023 Jul 6.
School environmental conditions have immediate and long-term effects on student health and learning. Relying on disconnected, inconsistent, voluntary, or unenforced environmental standards has not resulted in sufficient protection of students from toxic insults. Furthermore, the United States public school system was not prepared to navigate a potentially deadly infectious disease like COVID-19. Although Department of Education agencies have policies to establish clean and safe learning spaces, deficiencies are evident. This article highlights common environmental challenges in schools and opportunities for improvement. Voluntary adoption of rigorous environmental policies by grassroots efforts alone is unlikely to occur in all school systems. In the absence of a legally enforced requirement, the dedication of sufficient resources to update infrastructure and build the environmental health workforce capacity is equally unlikely to occur. Environmental health standards in schools should not be voluntary. Science-based standards should be comprehensive, and part of an actionable, integrated strategy that includes preventive measures and addresses environmental health issues sustainably. Establishing an Integrated Environmental Management approach for schools will require a coordinated capacity-building effort, community-based implementation efforts, and enforcement of minimal standards. Schools will need ongoing technical support and training for staff, faculty, and teachers sufficient to enable them to assume greater oversight and responsibility for environmental management of their schools. Ideally, a holistic approach will include all environmental health components, including IAQ, IPM, green cleaning, pesticide and chemical safety, food safety, fire prevention, building legacy pollutant management, and drinking water quality. Thus, creating a comprehensive management system with continuous monitoring and maintenance. Clinicians who care for children can serve as advocates for children's health beyond their clinic walls by advising parents and guardians to be aware of school conditions and management practices. Medical professionals have always been valued and influential members of communities and school boards. In these roles they can greatly assist in identifying and providing solutions to reduce environmental hazards in schools.
学校环境条件对学生的健康和学习有着直接和长期的影响。仅仅依靠不连贯、不一致、自愿或未强制执行的环境标准，并不能充分保护学生免受有毒物质的侵害。此外，美国公立学校系统也没有做好应对 COVID-19 等潜在致命传染病的准备。尽管教育部各机构都有制定清洁和安全学习空间的政策，但仍存在明显的缺陷。本文重点介绍了学校中常见的环境挑战和改进机会。仅依靠基层努力自愿采用严格的环境政策不太可能在所有学校系统中实现。在没有法律强制执行要求的情况下，同样不太可能投入足够的资源来更新基础设施和建设环境健康劳动力能力。学校的环境健康标准不应是自愿的。基于科学的标准应该是全面的，并且是一个可操作的综合战略的一部分，其中包括预防措施，并可持续地解决环境健康问题。为学校建立综合环境管理方法需要协调的能力建设努力、以社区为基础的实施努力以及对最低标准的执行。学校需要为教职员工提供持续的技术支持和培训，使他们能够更好地承担学校环境管理的监督和责任。理想情况下，整体方法将包括所有环境健康要素，包括室内空气质量、有害生物综合管理、绿色清洁、农药和化学品安全、食品安全、火灾预防、建筑遗留污染物管理以及饮用水质量。从而创建一个具有持续监测和维护的综合管理系统。关心儿童的临床医生可以通过建议家长和监护人了解学校的状况和管理实践，在其诊所之外为儿童的健康提供支持。医疗专业人员一直是社区和学校董事会中受到重视和有影响力的成员。在这些角色中，他们可以极大地帮助识别和提供解决方案，以减少学校中的环境危害。
