Playground

Swing Set - Physical Exercise

Physical exercise, especially in cold air, is a common trigger of brief episodes of asthma symptoms for children, limiting airflow to the lungs. Air pollution can worsen asthma symptoms during exercise. Though exercise can be an asthma trigger, due to hyperventilation and loss of water, studies have shown that active children with asthma have stronger lungs than inactive children.

• Refrain from strenuous physical exercise on Ozone Action Days. Ozone Action Days usually occur on warms days with little wind.

• Refer to IDEM Smog Watch website for daily smog levels or call 1-800-631-2871 or (317) 233-2318.

• Visit the Indiana Chronic Disease Management Program  website for more information on Exercise and Asthma

Mulch - Mold

Mulch is often used as an impact absorbing material on the playground. Mold begins to grow in/on mulch once it becomes wet. Consider replacing wood mulch with rubber playground material, which is made from recycled tire chips. Mold grows on organic material, breaking it down to use as a food source. Because tire chips are inorganic, mold does not grow on rubber playground material. This material provides more cushion than wood mulch and does not deteriorate over time. Initially, rubber playground material is more expensive. However, over the long-term it is more cost efficient than wood mulch because it will not need to be replaced.

 Landscaping - Pollen

Tree, grass, and weed pollen allergens can cause asthma symptoms in people with asthma allergic to one or more of these pollens.

• Limit outdoor activities, such as running, when pollen and mold counts are high.

• Select plants and trees that produce less pollen. For example, plants with large bright flowers, such as roses, have large heavy pollen grains that need bees and insects to carry pollen from one plant to another. The pollen grains are too heavy to remain airborne.

• Avoid cutting grass during operation hours when children are present.

• Refer to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology website for Daily Pollen & Mold Counts .

Bus Exhaust - Air Pollution

Automobile engines release air pollutants, including fine particles, nitrogen oxides (NO x) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through incomplete combustion. Exposure to traffic fumes, particularly diesel exhaust the fuel for most buses, can irritate lungs and can worsen asthma symptoms. Children breathe at a faster rate than adults making them more sensitive to pollutants. Consider that on average a child spends an hour and a half on a school bus each weekday.

• Adopt a bus and other vehicle no-idling policy for drop-off and pick-up, especially if vehicles are able to pull up directly in front of doors or windows. Post a no-idling sign.

• Provide a room for bus drivers to wait inside on cold days.

• Consider using alternative fuels and putting converters or filters on older buses to reduce emissions; some school districts contract-out bus fleets, negotiate for cleaner emission buses with new contracts.

Dumpsters - Pests

Dumpsters are a potential food source for pests if poorly maintained. Cockroaches produce powerful allergens that can cause asthma attacks in children allergic to cockroaches.

• Be sure that dumpsters/trash cans have lids to prevent standing water and pests.

• Be sure there is no trash outside of containers.

• Be sure dumpsters/trash cans are located away from child play areas, windows that open and close, doors, outdoor air intakes.

• Empty dumpsters and other waste containers frequently.

• Use good trash bags and avoid throwing the bags of trash into containers to avoid breakage.

• Check for cracks and crevices on the outside of the building near containers. Seal with caulk to prevent pests from entering the building.

• Consider locking dumpster areas to avoid illegal trash dumping.

Ventilation Air Intake - Dust & Air Pollution

Dust accumulates in ventilation ducts and can be brought into the system through the outdoor air intake. Dust often contains asthma triggers, such as mold and pollen spores. Air pollution can also be brought into the system if located near a pollution source, such as an exhaust vent or vehicle exhaust.

• Be sure that the ventilation system is clean and working properly.

• Do not block or close air intake vents.

• Change air filters every six months. Consider replacing filters with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters or pleated electrostatic air filters which will capture more particulates (found at local hardware stores.)

• Be sure intake screens are accessible for inspection and cleaning.

• Locate outdoor air intakes away from pollutant sources, such as restroom and cafeteria exhausts or vehicle exhaust.

Renovation Materials - Strong Odors & Dust

Renovation and repair projects produce dust. Materials such as caulks, solvents, paints, adhesives and sealants used give off fumes with strong odors. Many new materials such as carpet or vinyl flooring, paint, composite furniture and cabinets contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that will continually release fumes for some time. IDEM has created a School Repair/Renovation Checklist with recommendations for repairs and working with a contractor.

No Smoking Sign - Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Older students, teachers or parents may smoke at school or on school grounds. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is the most common irritant causing asthma symptoms and attacks.

• Enforce smoking bans on school property and at extracurricular activities.

• Do not allow smoking outside of the building near open windows/doors or on the playground.

• Encourage students not to smoke.

• Encourage parents not to smoke at home or in the car where children can be exposed.

• To get assistance on how to stop smoking visit Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation .

Roof - Mold

Many school buildings are designed with flat roofs due to cost issues. Over time flat roofs will have problems caused by leaks in the waterproofing membrane, loss of slope due to structural problems or a collapse in the underlying insulation. A common problem occurs when the original slope of a roof changes, causing water to either drain in the wrong direction, or to begin to pool.

• Inspect flat roofs for leaks regularly. Be sure the topcoat is well maintained and remains intact. Make necessary repairs immediately.

• New buildings should be designed with low-slope roofs, the minimum slope should be ¼ inch per square foot.

• Entry ways should have an overhang to prevent water from entering the building.

• The ground next to the building should be sloped away from the foundation.

• When moisture and leaking problems continually occur, metal retrofit roofing can be constructed over the existing flat roofing system to save on cost.