Amador County – An extensive new study titled “Toxic Air and America’s Schools,” and conducted by USA Today reveals that several Amador County schools rank in the lowest third nationwide where industrial pollution and toxic chemicals in the air threaten the health of students. USA Today says it used the government’s “most up-to-date” EPA model “to track the path of industrial pollution and mapped the locations of almost 128,000 schools to determine the levels of toxic chemicals outside” over an eight-month period. The result is a ranking of 27,800 public, private and parochial schools across the nation. The lowest ranking school for air quality in Amador County was Independence High, which fell into the 23rd percentile. The air is worse at only 29,290 schools across the nation. Amador High and Sutter Creek Elementary fell into the 33rd percentile, or better than 41,992 other schools. Argonaut High was ranked 34th, beating out just 43,244 schools with worse air quality. On a good note, many local educational facilities were also ranked in the top percentiles. Pioneer Elementary ranked at a County high of 92, North Star Independent Study ranked 91st and Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp ranked 90th. Many other local schools fell into the high 80’s. USA Today said the study revealed “potential problems” that were “widespread, insidious and largely unaddressed.” Scientific data shows that children are particularly susceptible to elevated levels of toxic chemicals. After the study revealed Ohio as one of the states within the highest number of low ranking schools, the Ohio EPA “concluded the risk of getting cancer there was 50 times higher than what the state considers acceptable.” USA Today said the U.S. EPA has “all but ignored” examining air quality in school areas, despite investing millions of dollars into new pollution models. Barbara Boxer, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, vowed Tuesday to “do what I have to do” to make sure children get the protection they need. She said she would be raising the issue during confirmation hearings for President Barack Obama’s next nominee to head the EPA. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thursday, 20 May 2010 06:14
Air Quality Study Ranks Schools Nationwide Based on Pollution Levels
Written by Tom-
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Amador County – An extensive new study titled “Toxic Air and America’s Schools,” and conducted by USA Today reveals that several Amador County schools rank in the lowest third nationwide where industrial pollution and toxic chemicals in the air threaten the health of students. USA Today says it used the government’s “most up-to-date” EPA model “to track the path of industrial pollution and mapped the locations of almost 128,000 schools to determine the levels of toxic chemicals outside” over an eight-month period. The result is a ranking of 27,800 public, private and parochial schools across the nation. The lowest ranking school for air quality in Amador County was Independence High, which fell into the 23rd percentile. The air is worse at only 29,290 schools across the nation. Amador High and Sutter Creek Elementary fell into the 33rd percentile, or better than 41,992 other schools. Argonaut High was ranked 34th, beating out just 43,244 schools with worse air quality. On a good note, many local educational facilities were also ranked in the top percentiles. Pioneer Elementary ranked at a County high of 92, North Star Independent Study ranked 91st and Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp ranked 90th. Many other local schools fell into the high 80’s. USA Today said the study revealed “potential problems” that were “widespread, insidious and largely unaddressed.” Scientific data shows that children are particularly susceptible to elevated levels of toxic chemicals. After the study revealed Ohio as one of the states within the highest number of low ranking schools, the Ohio EPA “concluded the risk of getting cancer there was 50 times higher than what the state considers acceptable.” USA Today said the U.S. EPA has “all but ignored” examining air quality in school areas, despite investing millions of dollars into new pollution models. Barbara Boxer, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, vowed Tuesday to “do what I have to do” to make sure children get the protection they need. She said she would be raising the issue during confirmation hearings for President Barack Obama’s next nominee to head the EPA. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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