U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's second version of a free software tool that helps school districts evaluate and manage their school facilities for key environmental, safety, and health issues. HealthySEAT is designed to be customized and used by district-level staff to conduct voluntary self-assessments of their school facilities and to track and manage information on environmental conditions school by school. EPA has also included critical elements of all of its regulatory and voluntary programs for schools, as well as web links to more detailed information. Enhancements for Version 2 include user-defined custom checklists, custom notification letters, additional and updated reports and forms, new navigation improvements, e-mail functionality, changes in terminology, and additional documentation.

These web pages are intended to serve as a gateway to on-line resources to help facility managers, school administrators, architects, design engineers, school nurses, parents, teachers and staff address environmental health issues in schools. Topics covered include chemical use and management; design, construction, and renovation; energy efficiency; facility operations and maintenance; indoor environmental quality; legislation and regulation; outdoor air pollution; portable classrooms; safety/preparedness; waste; and waste reduction.

Case study document provides new market insights and tips and helps explain how Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can improve health initiatives, facility management, and renovation and design strategies. Discusses harnessing the benefits of IPM, the benefits of IPM in green schools, reducing IPM, and IPM program costs. Describes how to improve schools’ ability to educate and gain cooperation from key individuals including superintendents, facility managers, custodians, school nurses, kitchen staff and parents. 8p

Calls for a 70 percent reduction in pest complaints and pesticide use in schools and presents actions and a timeline for a coordinated effort to engage professionals in all walks of school life, including parents, teachers, custodians, food service staff, school administrators, pest management professionals, extension staff, regulators and architects. Advice on getting communities to alter behaviors regarding pests and pesticides, an overview of pest management in U.S. schools, advice on preventing and avoiding pest-conducive conditions, pests, and pesticide Hazards, and extensive pest-specific information are included. Appendices offer lists of pest management options used at schools, school pest management-related legislation by state, organizations with roles in school IPIM, and state and regional IPM contacts. Also included in the appendices are a school IPM report card, glossary, biographies, a bibliography, a school IPM planning and evaluation tool, and IPM curriculum support tools. 286p.

Guides the pest control staff in assessing products, practices, and scheduling that affect indoor air quality, either positively or negatively. Indoor and outdoor preventive strategies, as well as storage and use of chemicals and recordkeeping are discussed. The checklist is used in conjunction with a background information document, found at http://epa.gov/iaq/schools/pdfs/kit/checklists/ipmcklstbkgd.pdf 6p.

Discusses current high-efficiency irrigation systems, low-maintenance and regionally hardy plants, and integrated pest management for more environmentally conscious and affordable landscapes.

Describes the current bed bug resurgence, noting that bed bugs do not transmit disease, how they can be detected, and how to control them with environmental modification, laundering, vacuuming, and heat treatments.

Discusses pest management that goes beyond just treating for infestations, involving design and occupant behavior. Low-toxicity treatments are described for infestations, as well as how to determine if an infestation might be that of a benign insect. Timing of treatments, mixing strategies, and biological controls are also addressed.

Describes actions by the federal government to assist in bed bug control without allowing the use of pesticides deemed toxic.

Discusses the rising problem of bedbugs in dormitories. Techniques for identifying and infestation are discussed as is de-infesting with chemicals and heat.

Discusses pest control with an emphasis on eliminating their habitat. The elimination of a severe cockroach infestation in a school kitchen by simply eliminating their favorable breeding ground is cited.

Discusses the hazards that bedbugs, rodents, and cockroaches present in school settings, and lists 21 steps that school occupants and employees can take to prevent infestation, particularly in a situation where professional pest management services are being reduced.

Cautions against abandoning pest control programs during a depressed economy. Advice for seeking the best pest control even with a reduced budget is offered, as are suggestions for eliminating pest infestation through regular facility management procedures.

Reviews pending School Environment Protection Act (SEPA), which aims to ensure the management of school grounds without the use of toxic pesticides.

Details truths and misconceptions surrounding the School Environment Protection Act (SEPA).

Discusses how pesticide use can make children ill, and emphasizes natural barriers and sanitation to control pests.

Discusses elements of Green Shield certification from the Integrated Pest Management Society (IPM) Institute of North America. Documentation, pesticide selection, procedures, use of outside contractors, and groundskeeping are addressed.

Examines state legislative efforts pertaining to pesticide use in and around schools. The report discusses hazards of pesticides commonly used in schools, a lack of federal protection, proposed federal legislation to establish national standards for integrated pest management at schools, effective integrated pest management strategies, examples of progressive state programs and legislation, and guidance on the safe application of pesticides. Includes 26 references.

Discusses tight construction details, finishes, and techniques to prevent pest intrusion into schools, as well as building and grounds maintenance processes that can help deter pests after occupancy, including thoughtful landscaping and outdoor lighting.

Cites examples of bird and bat infestations at educational institutions, the health hazards they present, and typical ways to repel them.