HEALTHY SCHOOLS + HEALTHY KIDS + BRIGHTER FUTURE

BEST PRACTICES FOR A TOXIC-FREE CAMPUS

Children are uniquely vulnerable to toxics exposure. Their size, immature organs, and developing bodies and brains make their exposure proportionately greater and their ability to detoxify or mitigate certain toxics more difficult. Children are at a greater risk because of the way they live in, play with, and experience their environments.

Toxics are linked to asthma, developmental delays, learning disabilities, autism, autoimmune disorders such as lupus and cancer, and increased incidences of behavioral problems. Since children spend up to 65% of their time in school, you can improve their health through simple daily acts in your classroom and on campus.

There are three main routes of toxics exposure: inhalation, skin absorption, and ingestion. Breathing in fragrances or exhaust fumes from idling cars, touching or playing on surfaces that have been chemically treated, or ingesting contaminated food and water are common forms of exposure.