SPECIAL FEATURES

“We Can’t Give Up. It’s Too Important.” Health And Safety Stories From Canadian And U.S. Schools

SuperUser Account — Fri, 28 May 2010 15:00:21 GMT

CASLE is one of four North American organizations featured in this article by Dorothy Wigmore in NEW SOLUTIONS: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy Issue: Volume 20, Number 1 / 2010

Guidelines to Accommodate Students and Staff with Environmental Sensitivities: A Guide for Schools

SuperUser Account — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:51:09 GMT

On Healthy Schools Day 2010, Women’s College Hospital’s Environmental Health Clinic and CASLE released this guide to help schools accommodate students and staff with environmental sensitivities. Approximately 3 per cent of Canadians have been diagnosed with environmental sensitivities (ES) or multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). This represents over 1 million Canadians, many of whom are students or staff of schools. Creating healthier environments for those with ES can benefit everyone in the building. The paper, and other relevant information, is also available online at Environmental Health Clinic program page at www.womenscollegehospital.ca.

Buyers Guides for Professionals and Consumers, by Healthy Indoors Partnership (HIP)

SuperUser Account — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:38:40 GMT

The Healthy Indoors Partnership coordinated national experts (professionals and organizations, including CASLE) to develop two guides to help consumers and professionals choose better products. You are welcome to copy, use or circulate these guides.

Essential Guide

SuperUser Account — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:31:01 GMT

If you are wondering "Where do I start?", then this is the must have collection for you. The articles below are the essential information sources you will need to get started to make your school a healthier place.

Back To School 2010

SuperUser Account — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:11:13 GMT

Some of the most common environmental health issues we have found when schools open in September or after longer holidays are these:

1. Students and teachers have new school supplies, new clothes, and some, wanting to make a good first impression, try out new fragranced products.

2. Renovations, routine summer maintenance such as waxed floors and new deodorizers in washrooms, and newly refinished gymnasium floors all pose potential health risks to susceptible individuals.

3. Indoor mould growth from heating and ventilation systems being off and the building closed up tight over the moist summer months.

For more information on back to school decisions, go to http://www.ewg.org/healthyhometips/backtoschool?utm_source=full&utm_medium=email&utm_content=first-link&utm_campaign=hht

Air Quality Testing

SuperUser Account — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:12:40 GMT

Building occupants often demand air quality “testing” and want to see the results, then lose more trust in officials when the tests they demanded come back inconclusive or negative. This article outlines the shortcomings of testing, and encourages thorough and skilled evaluations. A building evaluation may or may not require testing/measuring of possible contaminants.

Scent Free Management Plan 2008

SuperUser Account — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:13:36 GMT

Fragrance Facts

Today's fragrances are 97% synthetic chemical, with as many as 400 chemicals in a single fragrance. That a shampoo smells like strawberries is not the issue. The chemicals that make our neurosensors believe they are detecting the smell of strawberries are the issue.
Combinations from among the 6000 available chemicals are combined to create the smell of everything from new-car-smell to copies of expensive French perfumes.
Fragrances were once used for special events only. Now man-made fragrance chemicals are used in everything from cleaning materials and toys to garbage bags and kitty litter. One study found people wore or used an average of 21 synthetically scented products daily. (Rogers, Tired or Toxic)

Quick Resource List: Healthy Schools - Help and Information 2008

SuperUser Account — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:08:05 GMT

CASLE receives many requests for information on such topics as less-toxic cleaning agents, Scent-Free programs, less harmful materials/methods for renovations, and identifying and solving unhealthy building conditions. We hope this information helps you find what you need and we invite you to circulate it.

Healthy School Design and Construction Guidelines, 2008 Revision

SuperUser Account — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:09:54 GMT

Schools frequently have problems related to building design, construction or operation. The indoor environment quality can cause various short term or long term health or performance effects. These effects can be particularly harmful to students or staff with asthma, allergies or other health conditions. A Healthy School comes from good choices and good planning. A healthier school will result, with benefits to both health and educational outcomes.

This document has been used to create several Healthy Schools in Nova Scotia.

Some Less Expensive Ways to Improve School Environment Quality, October 2009

SuperUser Account — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:16:49 GMT

There are many ways to improve the indoor air quality without huge expense. Try some of these first.