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Poor Condition of Schools Considered a National Crisis

Clean Air America Inc., an innovator in air filtration products that protect workers and the environment, agrees with CNN's recent report on the dire condition of schools and the health hazards posed by poor indoor air quality on an estimated 14M children. CNN aired the segment featuring CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta as he visited schools to examine the impact of indoor air quality on students and teachers.

"Many school facilities today suffer from dwindling funds which should be used to fix crumbling buildings," said Jorgen Brahm, senior vice-president of Clean Air America Inc. "We help educational buildings ensure crystal clean air for students and teachers within welding labs where dust and smoke generated by welding equipment are removed from the environment."

The National Education Association is urging Congress to pass the Fix America's Schools Today Act, which would provide $25 billion for modernizing and repairing public schools. Many schools in the U.S. suffer from leaky roofs, peeling paint, falling plaster and exposed electrical wires. Toxins from paint, mold spores from water damage, and smoke/dust from welding and woodworking labs circulate through ancient HVAC systems.

According to NEA Health Information Network Director Jerry Newberry, "Poor indoor environmental quality contributes to serious health problems for students and staff, including asthma, allergic reactions, fatigue, headaches and respiratory tract infections. This causes high rates of absenteeism, and dramatically decreases the ability to concentrate and learn when students actually do make it to class."  

Over 200 schools have installed the Clean Air WeldStation 5 Series in their weld labs to capture weld smoke and grinding dust. The WeldStation 5 is a one piece, self-contained welding work center that effectively and efficiently removes all welding smoke and grinding dust so that the weld lab has crystal clean air for students to breath. Several schools have been able to meet certification for LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design buildings, which is an internationally recognized green building certification. LEED-certified buildings are designed to be healthier and safer for occupants, while saving energy costs.

For more information, visit www.clean-air.com.
 

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