Healthy Schools PA, a program of Women for a Healthy Environment, was created to address environmental risk factors in the school environment and to provide solutions that result in a healthy setting, one in which children can thrive and learn, free from toxins. Some of these risk factors include cleaning supplies, mold, building renovations, bus idling, maintenance equipment, pesticides or radon.
To learn more about this program, visit the Healthy Schools PA website
Artificial turf raises health and environmental concerns for children and communities. These include toxic chemicals in the infill and synthetic grass carpet, higher temperatures compared with natural grass, and the potential for toxic chemicals from the artificial turf to pollute nearby water sources. Natural grass, especially when managed organically, is an affordable, practical, and safer alternative to artificial turf.
To learn more about this program, visit Artificial Turf Exposures page.
This mapping initiative uses publicly available data to identify potential environmental hazards located within a one-mile radius of a public school building in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. This ten-county region includes: over 336,000 children attending public schools, 674 public school buildings, 128 school districts and 7,040 square miles. This initiative mapped the following potential environmental hazards: air emission sources, gas wells (unconventional also known as Marcellus wells, as well as compressor stations), mining operations and active rail lines. This first phase reviewed public schools, charter schools and technical schools. Data was collected from the PA Department of Environmental Protection (gas wells, mining hazards), the PAMAP program (rail lines) and the Environmental Protection Agency (air emission sources).
Contact Women for a Healthy Environment with any questions, comments or concerns. We will do our best to get back to you in a timely manner. We thank you for your interest in our network!
Where and When? December 9, 2022 Virtual
8:30am– Welcome from Phil Johnson, Heinz Foundation on the Healthy Schools PA State of the Schools Report
9:00-10:00am: First Keynote speaker: former Climate Advisor to the Obama Administration and Activist, Molly Kawahata
10:00-11:00am Panel — Teaching Hope to the Next Generation of Climate Leaders in the School Environment
11:00-11:15am: Break
11:15-12:15pm – Second Keynote Speaker: Research Scientist and Deputy Indoor Environment Group Leader in Energy Analysis and Environmental Impact Division at Lawrence: Dr. Rengie Chan
12:15 – 12:45 pm: Break for lunch
12:45– 1:15 pm: Expert presentation on what it takes to promote and protect healthy school environments across PA
1:15 – 2:30 pm – Learning from Experts and Innovators’ Award-Winning Initiatives in School Environmental Health featuring PA Green Ribbon Schools.
2:30pm– Close with final remarks from Healthy Schools PA Program Manager, Shannon Meyers
Join Us!
Together, we can ensure a safe and healthy environment for our children and those who devote their lives to shaping them into the next generation of leaders. Join engaging panel discussions among community leaders, policymakers, advocates, scientists and families from across our region, state and nation for the Healthy Schools Pennsylvania Summit on December 9, 2022.
Register for this free, virtual event using the link below:
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