More than 53 million children and 6 million adults in the United States spend their days in elementary and secondary schools. Reducing environmental risks inside these buildings is critical to maintaining the public health. Almost all of New England's children will spend a large portion of their childhood in school. To help children stay healthy, parents and teachers must reduce their exposure to environmental hazards in school environments. When students and their teachers are healthy and comfortable, children learn and produce more in the classroom, which in turn improves performance and achievement later in life. This brochure can help school employees and parents recognize potential environmental health issues at schools, both indoors and outdoors. It includes basic information about a broad range of topics, and links to web sites that offer more information and guidance on how to have a healthier school environment and comply with relevant laws. EPA's Healthy School Environments web site provides access to programs that help prevent and resolve environmental issues in schools.