Toxics Legislated Out Of North Carolina Schools

Children are about to gain strong protections from pesticides, mercury, diesel fumes, arsenic-treated wood, mold and mildew at North Carolina’s public schools.

A new bill titled the “School Children’s Health Act” has passed the House and Senate and has been sent to the Governor for his signature. The bill uses common-sense, low-cost, and even cost-savings measures to reduce student and staff exposure to hazardous contaminants in school buildings.

The bill was sponsored by Representatives Grier Martin (D-Wake), Marian McLawhorn (D-Pitt) and Marvin Lucas (D-Cumberland). Senator Bill Purcell (D-Scotland) presented the bill in the Senate.

“It’s just common sense,” stated Representative Martin.

Pediatrician Debbie Leiner, a member of the NC Pediatric Society, agrees. “There is growing scientific evidence that exposure to these common contaminants can increase children’s risk for many kinds of disease, including respiratory illness, learning difficulties and in some cases even cancer. From a medical perspective, this bill makes good sense – to prevent serious illness in the first place by making schools safer for kids.”