Children’s Health Month: Creating Healthy Learning Spaces
October is Children’s Health Month, and from October 6-12, the focus is on “Healthy Spaces,” an initiative aimed at ensuring that environments where children spend most of their time, like homes, schools and playgrounds, are designed and maintained with their health in mind. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emphasizes the importance of addressing environmental factors such as air quality, pollutants and overall cleanliness to protect children’s developing bodies from long-term health issues. This focus is especially relevant in schools, where children spend significant amounts of time.
Children are particularly vulnerable to pollutants due to their developing bodies and increased exposure to environmental hazards. For example, poor indoor air quality, lead exposure and harmful cleaning chemicals can have detrimental effects on their health, potentially leading to respiratory problems, developmental delays and other chronic conditions. The EPA highlights the dangers of lead exposure and poor air quality in schools, noting that both are critical factors that need constant attention. Efforts to address these risks include investments like the EPA’s Clean School Bus initiative and grants to improve indoor air quality in schools, especially those serving disadvantaged communities.
Read More: EPA Reference Guide for Indoor Air Quality in Schools
FBG Facility Services plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy spaces within schools by focusing on creating cleaner and safer environments for children. By employing green cleaning techniques, using EPA-approved disinfectants and maintaining rigorous cleaning schedules, FBG helps reduce harmful environmental exposures. Our company’s efforts align with the EPA’s goals of minimizing pollutants and ensuring safe, clean environments for all children.
In schools, improved cleanliness has been shown to significantly reduce absenteeism due to illness. According to research from Ecolab, cleaner environments can result in better student performance and fewer sick days. By ensuring that classrooms and other school areas are properly cleaned and disinfected, custodial teams like FBG’s can directly contribute to the well-being of children.
As we observe Children’s Health Month, it’s important to recognize the invaluable role that custodians play in creating healthier school environments. Through continuous attention to cleanliness, proper air filtration and the use of safe cleaning products, FBG is not only maintaining schools but also actively protecting the health of the next generation.
For more information on the EPA’s initiatives to protect children’s health, visit the EPA’s Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments page.