CONNECTICUT FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE SCHOOLS

Announcements & Notices

New at CONNFess

We are really Keen on Green Clean! See our new section GREEN CLEAN for the latest on how our schools are tackling the challenge to keep schools both green and clean, press releases, tips and much more

We've got our LEGISLATION SECTION online! You'll find testimony by CONNFess members and links to the bills they speak about.

Lawn Pesticide Fact Sheet for Bills 5234 and 7096

Green Cleaning: Healthier Cleaning & Maintenance Practices and Products for School from the Healthy Schools Network (pdf)

In the News

2007 Healthy Schools Hero: Diane Ethier, Pomfret Center, CT
Ellie Goldberg, M.Ed., Healthy Kids
March 20, 2007: Today, Diane Ethier is a Healthy School Hero because she is an environmental health resource and mentor to hundreds of people. In a variety of roles, she helps others to break the silence about school hazards and to overcome the pervasive denial and indifference about school conditions that lead to serious illness in schools. Her courage, her skill as a communicator, and her persistence bring the Lessons of the 1937 Texas School Explosion to school systems throughout Connecticut and far beyond. [MORE]

Press Release/Media Advisory

National Healthy Schools Day 2007 Press Release
Contact Person: Diane Ethier, 860-928-3036
April 30, 2007: In recognition of National Healthy Schools Day, the Connecticut Foundation for Environmentally Safe Schools (ConnFESS) in conjunction with the National Coalition for Healthier Schools is promoting the use of "Green Clean" maintenance practices and products in schools. Commonly used cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that are associated with cancer, reproductive disorders, eye and skin damage and respiratory disorders such as asthma. Industrial strength cleaning products used in many schools pose a particular risk to children of all ages, especially those with sensitive airways and other health issues. Toxic cleaning products also present a significant threat to custodial staff who handle them directly. One custodian uses on average 194 chemicals a year, 25% of which are hazardous substances. NIOSH reports that 12% of work related asthma is the result of exposure to cleaning products. [Complete National Healthy Schools Day 2007 Press Release]

National Healthy Schools Day, April 24, 2006
Contact Person: Diane Ethier, 860-928-3036
April 18, 2006: In recognition of National Healthy Schools Day, April 24, 2006, the CT Foundation for Environmentally Safe Schools (ConnFESS) will release its new 2006 Advocacy Checklist.

The 2006 Advocacy Checklist provides updated information regarding Connecticut laws that deal with environmental health issues such as pesticides, bus idling and indoor air quality. The checklist also suggests steps parents and school staff can take to assess how effectively a school is adopting and implementing its IAQ program.

From 2000-2004 severe mold contamination in three Connecticut schools: McKinley Elementary (Fairfield), Plainfield High School (Plainfield) and Staples Elementary (Easton) illustrated how poor management of IAQ issues (e.g. failure to replace a leaky roof) can cause serious health and financial consequences . . . [Complete press release here]