MAY IS ASTHMA AWARENESS MONTH

EPA initiated Asthma Awareness Month to educate public about air pollutants that trigger asthma, and methods to reduce the incidence and severity of asthma attacks caused by these pollutants.  Some of the most common indoor asthma ‘triggers’ are secondhand smoke, mold, dust mites and cockroaches, household pets, and combustion byproducts.  One way to publicize asthma awareness month and to help asthma victims learn to avoid asthma ‘triggers’ is by holding community events publicized on EPA’s Web site, at  http://asthmaevents.cadmusweb.com. Exit EPA Click for Disclaimer For tips to help plan an asthma education event, go to: Download the Asthma Awareness Month Event Planning Kit. To learn about indoor air quality, go to http://www.epa.gov/reg3artd/Indoor/iaq.htm.

EPA PLANS TO INCREASE NATIONAL OUTPUT OF RENEWABLE FUELS

EPA is proposing a plan (The Renewable Fuel Standard) that when fully phased in by 2022 will increase the volume of renewable fuel required to be blended into gasoline, and reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil by more than 297 million barrels a year and greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 160 million tons a year.  The 60-day comment period on this proposal will begin upon publication in the Federal Register. During this period EPA will hold a workshop to assure full public understanding of the proposed plan.  For more information on the Energy Independence and Security Act, go to http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/index.htm

EPA'S TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAM WELCOMES THE KENNETT CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Kennett Consolidated School District located in Chester County, Pa. has joined the EPA’s Indoor Tools for Schools (TfS) program to achieve clean indoor air in its buildings.  The purpose of TfS is to improve the indoor air quality of older school buildings to protect student health. Under the program, a TfS kit (available free to any school district or school) allows EPA specialists to train school staff to identify and resolve potential pollutant sources and activities impacting the indoor environment through presentations, outreach, assessments and technical assistance.  For information on EPA’s indoor air quality programs, go to http://www.epa.gov/reg3artd/Indoor/iaq.htm