Air Exchange Radio
September Air Exchange on KPFT 90.1 Open Journal
- Renee Blanchard
Host Matthew Tejada with his guest, Renee Blanchard, Coordinator of the Childproofing our Communities Program, at the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) discussed local and state school siting concerns and how to participate in the October 14th National Call to Action for stronger, safer school siting policies nationwide.
During the past Texas legislative session, Rep. Donna Howard’s school siting bill HB1839 failed to pass. This bill would have required a school district - before establishing a new school - to adopt a site selection policy that accounts for the special vulnerability of children and promotes the health and safety of children. Then this summer the EPA, in partnership with state and local air pollution control agencies, began monitoring the outdoor air at 62 schools in 22 states for air toxics with the goal of developing school siting guidelines. The monitoring of Texas schools is still in progress.
