Toxic Air Problems at South Carolina Schools

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Nancy Vinson / 843 723 8035

NancyV@scccl.org

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A USA Today/Johns Hopkins University report predicted unhealthy levels of toxic chemicals in the outdoor air at schools across the nation. This study indicated that some of South Carolina’s schools are likely hotspots for high levels of formaldehyde, lead, manganese, chromium, nickel, and sulfuric acid. These dangerous pollutants can lead to asthma and chronic bronchitis, heart and kidney problems, neurological problems including mental and emotional problems, cancer and worse. In children, toxic pollution of this type is even more damaging than for adults. Children take in more air per unit body weight than do adults by up to 50%. Children are often outside during periods when air pollution is at its highest and they typically are playing and exerting themselves so they are breathing harder and taking in more pollution than adults. Air pollution can prevent proper lung growth in children and result in permanently decreased lung function and increased health problems later in life.

The EPA model used in this study shows that two schools in North Charleston, Chicora Elementary School (recently changed to Chicora School of Communications) and St. Johns Catholic School, are both in the worst 1% percent of most polluted schools in the country. The former Charlestowne Academy is also ranked in the worst 1%. North Charleston High School, Mary Ford Elementary, and the Military Academic Magnet are in the worst 2% of most polluted schools.

This is not just a problem for North Charleston. Air monitoring should begin at these worst North Charleston schools first, but the other schools should not be ignored. After our press conference and citizen letters to the EPA and DHEC, Chicora Elementary School was chosen as one of the 62 schools across the nation that will be monitored by the EPA for toxic air pollution.

Recent EPA test results are in, and reveal levels of a toxin 100 times higher than is considered safe for long-term exposure at Chicora Elementary School (Chicora School of Communications) in North Charleston. That toxin is acrolein, which irritates the eyes, nose, and throat, and exacerbates asthma symptoms. Studies in the U.K. indicate that acrolein exposure may lead to cancer. Acrolein comes from the emissions of industries and trucks.

How would it affect South Carolina?

Testing these schools not only measures what our state’s children are breathing, but the immediate community as well. Knowing what toxins are in the air will allow citizens to take the next steps to protect the health of children and communities, particularly in areas with heavy industrial emissions.

What can you do about it?

Thanks to many of you who contacted the EPA and state officials, Chicora Elementary is being tested. Citizens must continue to call on our public health agencies to take swift action, to monitor the air and take any necessary corrective action to ensure our children’s health is not being damaged by toxic pollution. You can also sign up to be one of our clean air activists.

Now that the preliminary test results are in and we know that Chicora has elevated levels of pollutants, please remain engaged in this issue.