Building Environment/Health

Asbestos

The precise risk of disease from low-level, short-term exposure to asbestos is unknown. There is no scientific evidence that casual exposure to asbestos - such as the amounts typically found in schools- will cause a problem.

Bedbugs

In 16th Century Europe, bed bugs mostly troubled rich people, as they had the warmest homes. But as the quality of homes improved in the developed world, bedbugs became a problem for people of all economic classes.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Accidents, playground scrapes, bloody noses, fights, athletic injuries and violent episodes all have the potential for exposure to a bloodborne pathogen, a microorganism in blood that can cause disease if it enters your bloodstream.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Elevated levels of carbon dioxide (above 1000 PPM) may result in complaints of general discomfort, headaches and fatigue. Health symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, difficulty in concentrating, eye and upper respiratory irritation, and an increased incidence of respiratory infections often occur in indoor environments when the amount of outside air delivered by the ventilation system is not sufficient for the number of people occupying the space.

Epi-pen Fact Sheet

Process and Procedure for use of EPI-PEN: The NYC Department of Education developed a new comprehensive plan to address the identification and treatment of food allergies in New York City schools.

Fact Sheet on PCBs in Caulk

Flammable Storage Cabinets

The Fire Code of the City of New York Chapter 34 - Schools: does state that the storage of dangerous chemicals, volatile flammable oils and liquids shall be confined to metal cabinets vented at top and bottom. A cardholder should be provided for a visible record of the contents and maximum amount stored therein; also a caution sign, if applicable to read: “In case of fire do not use water.”

Green Clean

Now, thanks to union and consumer lobbying, including the Healthy Schools Network, cleaning products have changed. Now "green cleaning" — where environmentally sensitive products are used — is all the rage.

Head Lice (Pediculosis)

Pediculosis:(head lice, body lice, pubic lice, cooties, crabs) What is pediculosis? Pediculosis is an infection with adult or larval lice or their eggs (nits). The crawling stages of this insect feed on human blood, which can result in severe itching. Head lice are usually located on the scalp and pubic lice (crabs) are found in the pubic area. Body lice live along the seams of clothing and travel to the skin to feed.

Indoor Air Quality

The UFT receives more complaints from its members about poor indoor air quality in schools than about any other health and safety issue. Some staff complain about irritation of the nose and throat, dry or itching eyes and asthmatic-type reactions that appear to be caused by something in the air.

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management is an important part of building maintenance. School administrators, Custodial staff, SchoolFood staff need to evaluate pest control strategies and take a proactive approach to solving issues

Lead

Lead is a soft, heavy metallic element with many industrial uses, including paint. Lead can damage the nervous system and kidneys and even be fatal. It also may affect brain development in children.

Mercury

There is much misinformation about mercury, its various forms and its dangers. Three different types of mercury exist, varying in their levels of toxicity. They are elemental mercury, inorganic mercury and organic mercury.

Mold

Mold (fungi) is present everywhere - indoors and outdoors. There are more than 100,000 species of mold. At least 1,000 species of mold are common in the U.S.

NYC Building Code - Occupant Load Requirement

OCCUPANT LOAD REQUIREMENTS -

NYC DOH Temperature Regulations

Indoor Heat/Temperature: New York City Department of Health regulation requirements

OSHA Safety & Health Bulletin on Mold In the Workplace

Public awareness about indoor exposure to mold can cause a variety of health effects and symptoms, including allergic reactions. This bulletin provides recommendations for the prevention of mold growth and describes measures designed to protect the health of building occupants involved in mold prevention

OSHA’s Sanitation Standard - Access to Toilet Facilities

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Sanitation Standard (29 CFR 1910.141(c)(1)(i) requires employers to provide their employees with toilet facilities. This standard is enforced by the New York State Department of Labor Public Employees Safety and Health Bureau (NYSDOL PESH) for public employees.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Caulk (Sealants)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of man-made chemicals that can cause a number of different harmful effects. PCBs are either oily liquids or solids and are colorless to light yellow. Some PCBs may exist as a vapor in air. They have no known smell or taste.

Procedure for Reporting Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine.

Protocol for Remediating Construction Hazards while Renovating Occupied School Buildings

New York City schools are severely overcrowded; therefore much of this work must be performed while schools are in session, creating potentially very serious safety and health hazards.

Reportable Disease Policy

The Department of Health/DOE School Health is supposed to send out a letter to staff and parents whenever there has been a case or cases of a reportable disease (for example, tuberculosis, bacterial meningitis, etc.) and we have an informal policy for other diseases as well.

Rodent & Cockroach Infestation

Buildings with persistent rodent or cockroach infestation can become a problem for some people. Mice and rats have a common property of leaking proteins into their urine which can cause allergic symptoms and contribute to asthma in persons with allergies. Cockroach-derived proteins have also been associated with allergies. The cockroach is probably the most common building-related cause of allergies in the U.S.

School Construction/Renovation

Schools under construction and/or renovation have the potential to create the following health, environmental, and safety issues.