Our mission:
To reduce the impact of asthma across New England, through collaborations of health, housing, education, and environmental organizations with particular focus on the contribution of schools, homes, and communities to the disease and with attention to its disproportionate impact on populations at greatest risk.
Indoor and Ambient Air Quality
Allergens and irritants in the air can significantly contribute to the development and exacerbation of asthma. Sources of indoor and ambient air problems include inadequate ventilation, mold, wood and environmental tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, toxic chemicals, pests and rodents, and more.
Since its inception, much of ARC's work has centered on improving indoor and ambient air quality. Key accomplishments include: developing and disseminating materials that help schools tackle indoor air problems, assisting New England states in developing bus anti-idling regulations and programs, and successfully promoting and evaluating the use of emission reduction technology.
Our work in this area has included production of a number of resources and guidance documents, available below.
ARC Resources for Tackling Indoor Air Problems in Schools
Reducing Asthma Triggers in Schools: Recommendations for Effective Policies, Regulations, & Legislation (2005)
This document provides concise recommendations for state laws and regulations to help control and prevent indoor air quality problems.
Health Considerations When Choosing School Flooring
This fact sheet and its companion purchasing menu provide guidance for those charged with procuring school flooring, with attention to impacts on health, costs and the environment.
Environmentally Healthy Schools: Tips For Teachers (2004)
This factsheet provides school teachers with practical advice on how to support asthma-friendly schools.
What's that Smell: Simple Steps to Tackle School Air Problems
A step-by-step guide for school administrators and business/facilities managers.
ARC Resources for Promoting Cleaner Buses and Fuel
Toolkit for Reducing Diesel Emissions
An online toolkit designed to help school communities, environmental officials, and others make informed decisions about ways to reduce harmful diesel emissions from school buses.
Options for Reducing Pollution from School Buses
A menu to guide school districts, health and environmental agency staff in evaluating different retrofit and fuel choices.
Additional Information about Air Quality and Health
For more extensive resources on specific topics, see our Healthy Homes page.
Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures (2001)
Institute of Medicine report evaluating the various indoor air pollutants' contribution to asthma.
The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke (2006)
A Report of the US Surgeon General
A Study Links Trucks' Exhaust to Bronx Schoolchildren's Asthma
Fernandez, Manny. The New York Times. October 29, 2006.
The Health Effects of Wood Smoke
by Environment and Human Health, Inc.
Air Now
Air Quality Index by the US Environmental Protection Agency
EPA has an updated version of the "Strategies for Reducing Residential Wood Smoke," which provides a comprehensive list of strategies to help communities reduce wood smoke from residential heating appliances. The key audience for this document is state, tribal, and local agencies.
The Strategies Document can be found here.