The Roma people are the largest stateless population in Central and Eastern (CEE) Europe and face a disproportionate amount of environmental health disparities likely due to a long history of discrimination and stigmatization. Using qualitative research methodology and community-based participatory research methods, we aimed to gain a more nuanced…

States compel children to attend school; in fact, 98% of all school-age children attend schools--irrespective of conditions. Yet the environmental conditions of decayed facilities or facilities close to hazards can damage children's health and ability to learn. At the same time, it is well documented that healthy school facilities can help…

Understanding the importance of good indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is the backbone of developing an effective Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) program. Poor IAQ can lead to a large variety of health problems and potentially affect comfort, concentration, and staff/student performance. In recognition of tight school budgets, this guidance is designed…

When selecting furniture for education institutions, administrators often consider durability and ergonomics as givens. The furniture they select must be comfortable for a variety of age groups and body types, and be able to withstand heavy use and last into the future. But many school officials are adding sustainability to their furniture…

"Sick building syndrome" results mainly from tightly sealed, poorly ventilated buildings with low levels of airborne pollutants. This article describes the problem at a Pennsylvania elementary school, examines roles of specific contaminants, and discusses credibility problems, prescriptions, and preventive measures. Insets explain causes…

Reviews reports on efforts to improve the Communist Chinese natural environment. National campaigns for water and air pollution control, sanitation improvement, and industrial development are related to Mao Tse-tung's philosophy of frugality and comprehensive resource use. Concern is expressed regarding possible ecological consequences from…

Community Health and Environmental Surveillance System (CHESS), a nationwide program relating community health to environmental quality, is designed to evaluate existing environmental standards, obtain health intelligence for new standards, and document health benefits of air pollution control. (BL)

Proposes an international research laboratory to investigate environmental factors in human health. By international cooperation unnecessary duplication and waste of resources can be avoided and long-term studies can examine various world-wide environments. (JM)

Sources of noises affecting schools and their hindrance of learning are presented. Noise levels for different activities are tabled and possible methods for controlling such noises are suggested. Internal to the school, shop and music levels are the most severe. More care in site selection and design considerations are recommended. (LS)

The polarization of organized labor v environmentalists on the political scene is discussed. The angry workers claim that environmentalists in their zeal for cleaning up the air and water and protecting wildlife are throwing people out of work. (Author/SA)

The majority of the literature on contaminated communities indicates that environmental hazards lead to conflict and dissension. In this paper we examine the salient dimensions of conflict and factionalism in a rural Oklahoma community. The community is heavily contaminated from 80 years of commercial mining operations and was one of the first…

Comparisons are used in this paper to identify improvements in mortality and morbidity experiences over time, to identify new environmental hazards, and to emphasize the potential for improvement. The comparisons are presented in the full belief that racial variations are fundamentally socioeconomic variations. Efforts are also made to identify…

Discusses the health-related implications of environmental hazards for children. Argues that low-income, minority communities are disproportionately affected, thus spurring the environmental justice movement which calls for equitable dealing with hazards. Suggests that children are at the greatest physical health risk, and that educators are in a…