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Introduction
In 1992, I began an extensive review of environmental, and health and safety (EHS) issues involving the Burlington, Massachusetts public school system. During this evaluation, I have investigated and researched a broad variety of concerns and potential problems outlined in the table of contents. Many of the conditions I encountered represented significant safety hazards or potential environmental problems. While attempting to research and resolve these problems, I also noted a lack of readily available guidance for identifying EHS issues in schools as well as a hesitancy by regulatory agencies to get involved with school issues.
Based on this premise, I intend to report the results of my ongoing evaluation so that it may be used as a guide by parents, staff, and public officials when reviewing EHS issues in their school system. I believe the snapshot provided by this report is consistent to the types and severity of problems that could be found in schools nation wide. I urge all of you to consider the results reported here and to review these issues at your schools. Even though some of the anecdotes I will report may suggest otherwise, our story is a success story in that we have made the effort to identify the concerns and to take action to correct the problems. I hope this study will enable you to do the same.
I plan to provide a general description of the issues I have reviewed. My intent is to provide the layman with an understanding of the issue, potential problems associated with the issue, tips and suggestions for assisting the evaluation, and lessons I have learned. I will also provide information describing some of the resources I have utilized during this effort.
In the event that you need information regarding a topic which has not yet been posted, you may contact me at the Burlington Board of Health.
