Latest news with #schoolhealth
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Is the oil and gas boom harming New Mexico's students?
Billton Werito and his son Amari in front of a drilling pad near their house in the Counselor Chapter area of the Navajo Nation. (Nadav Soroker/Searchlight New Mexico) COUNSELOR, N.M. – On a Tuesday in March, Billton Werito drove his son Amari toward his house in Counselor, New Mexico, navigating the bumpy dirt road that winds through a maze of natural gas pipelines, wellheads and water tanks. Amari should have been in school, but a bout of nausea and a dull headache kept him from class. 'To me the surprise was certainly the magnitude of the effects' of air pollution on students, said Mike Gilraine, a professor of economics at Simon Fraser University. 'It's hard to find a similar factor that would have such an impact on schools nationwide.' 'It happens a lot,' Amari explained from the backseat, glancing up from his Nintendo Switch. The symptoms usually show up when the sixth-grader smells an odor of 'rotten egg with propane' that rises from nearby natural gas wells and wafts over Lybrook Elementary School, where he and some 70 other Navajo students attend class. His little brother often misses school for the same reason. 'They just keep getting sick,' Amari's father, Billton, said. 'I have to take them out of class because of the headaches. Especially the younger one, he's been throwing up and won't eat.' The symptoms are putting the kids at risk of falling further behind in school. This article first appeared on Searchlight New Mexico and is republished here under a Creative Commons License. Lybrook sits in the heart of New Mexico's San Juan Basin, a major oil and gas deposit that, along with the Permian Basin in the state's southeast, is supplying natural gas that meets much of the nation's electricity demand. The gas pulled from tens of thousands of wells in New Mexico has reaped huge benefits for the entire country. Natural gas has become a go-to fuel for power plants from coast to coast, sometimes replacing dirtier coal-fired plants and, by extension, improving air quality. Locally, oil and gas companies employ thousands of workers, often in areas with few other opportunities, all while boosting the state's budget with billions in royalty payments. But those benefits may come at a cost for thousands of students in New Mexico whose schools sit near oil and gas pipelines, wellheads and flare stacks. An Associated Press analysis of state and federal data found 694 oil and gas wells with new or active permits within a mile of a school in the state. This means that around 29,500 students in 74 schools and pre-schools potentially face exposure to noxious emissions, as extraction from the ground can release unhealthy fumes. At Lybrook, where Amari just finished sixth grade, fewer than 6 percent of students are proficient at math, and only a fifth meet state standards for science and reading proficiency. Other factors could help explain students' poor achievement. Poverty rates are higher in some areas with high levels of gas development, and students at rural schools overall tend to face challenges that can adversely affect academic performance. AP's analysis found that two-thirds of the schools within a mile of an oil or gas well were low-income, and the population is around 24 percent Native American and 45 percent Hispanic. But research has found that student learning is directly harmed by air pollution from fossil fuels — even when socioeconomic factors are taken into account. And it's not just New Mexico where this is a risk. An AP analysis of data from the Global Oil and Gas Extraction Tracker found over 1,000 public schools across 13 states that are within five miles of a major oil or gas field. Major fields are collections of wells that produce the highest amount of energy in a state. 'This kind of air pollution has a real, measurable effect on students,' said Mike Gilraine, a professor of economics at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada, who studies connections between air quality and student performance. In 2024, Gilraine cowrote a study showing that student test scores were closely associated with air contamination. Each measured increase in PM2.5, a type of pollution created from the burning of fossil fuels, was associated with a significant decline in student test scores, Gilraine found. Conversely, researchers have documented that reductions in air pollution have led to higher test scores and fewer absences. 'To me the surprise was certainly the magnitude of the effects' of air pollution on students, Gilraine said. 'It's hard to find a similar factor that would have such an impact on schools nationwide.' America's shift to natural gas has resulted in substantial increases in student achievement nationwide, Gilraine's research shows, as it has displaced dirtier coal and led to cleaner air on the whole. But there has been little data on air quality across New Mexico, even as it has become one of the most productive states in the nation for natural gas. State regulators have installed only 20 permanent air monitors, most in areas without oil or gas production. Independent researchers have extensively studied the air quality near schools in at least two locations in the state, however. One is Lybrook, which sits within a mile of 17 active oil and gas wells. In 2024, scientists affiliated with Princeton and Northern Arizona universities conducted an air-monitoring study at the school, finding that levels of pollutants — including benzene, a cancer-causing byproduct of natural gas production that is particularly harmful to children — were spiking during school hours, to nearly double the levels known to cause chronic or acute health effects. That research followed a 2021 health impact assessment that was done with support from several local nonprofits and foundations, which analyzed the effects of the area's oil and gas development on residents. The findings were startling: More than 90 percent of people surveyed suffered from sinus problems. Nosebleeds, shortness of breath and nausea were widespread. The report attributed the symptoms to the high levels of pollutants that researchers found — including, near Lybrook, hydrogen sulfide, a compound that gives off the sulfur smell that Amari Werito associated with his headaches. Those studies helped confirm what many community members already knew, said Daniel Tso, a community leader who served on the committee that oversaw the 2021 health impact assessment. 'The children and the grandchildren need a safe homeland,' Tso said during an interview in March, standing outside a cluster of gas wells within a mile of Lybrook Elementary. 'You smell that?' he said, nodding towards a nearby wellhead, which smelled like propane. 'That's what the kids at the school are breathing in. I've had people visiting this area from New York. They spend five minutes here and say, 'Hey, I got a headache.' And the kids are what, six hours a day at the school breathing this?' Lybrook school officials did not respond to requests for comment. Researchers have identified similar air quality problems in New Mexico's southeast. In 2023, a team of scientists from a coalition of universities conducted a detailed, yearlong study of the air in Loving, a small town in the Permian Basin. Local air quality, researchers found, was worse than in downtown Los Angeles, and the tested air contained the fifth-highest level of measured ozone contamination in the U.S. The source of the ozone — a pollutant that's especially hazardous to children — was the area's network of gas wells and related infrastructure. Some of that infrastructure sits within a half-mile of a campus that houses Loving's elementary, middle and high schools. A small group of residents has spoken out about the area's air quality, saying it has caused respiratory problems and other health issues. But for most locals, any concerns about pollution are outweighed by the industry's economic benefits. Representatives of the oil and gas industry have claimed the air quality studies themselves are not trustworthy. 'There needs to be a robust study to actually answer these questions,' said Andrea Felix, vice president of regulatory affairs for the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA). Felix said other sources of emissions, such as cars and trucks, are likely a larger source of air quality problems near wells. 'Companies follow the best available science' for well placement and emissions controls, Felix said, and also contribute huge amounts of money to the state's education budget through streams like royalties and direct expenditures. In the most recent fiscal year, oil and gas revenue supported $1.7 billion in K-12 spending in New Mexico, according to a NMOGA report. Officials with Loving Municipal Schools are also skeptical of the alarm over the wells. Loving Superintendent Lee White said the school district used funds from the oil and gas industry to pay for a new wing at the elementary school, a science lab for students, turf on the sports field and training and professional development for teachers. He said the industry's contributions to state coffers can't be ignored. 'Are we willing to give that up because people say our air is not clean?' he said during an interview. 'It's just as clean as anywhere else.' As White spoke, a drill rig worked a couple of miles east of Loving's elementary school while parents poured into the gymnasium to watch kindergartners collect their diplomas. White touted the district's success, saying the elementary school scores above state averages for reading, math and science proficiency, while Loving's high school students far outpace the state average for college and career readiness. But environmental groups, attorneys and residents continue to push for limits on drilling near schools. Those efforts saw a boost in 2023, when New Mexico State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard issued an executive order prohibiting new oil and gas leases on state-owned land within a mile of schools. Industry representatives decried the move, saying it added potentially insurmountable costs and barriers to drilling operators. However, AP's analysis found that relatively few wells would be impacted even if the rule applied to all of New Mexico; only around 1 percent of oil and gas wells in the state are within a mile of a school. In the years since, residents of areas where exploration is heavy have lobbied for legislation prohibiting gas operations within a mile of schools, regardless of land status. That bill died in committee during the most recent session of the New Mexico legislature. Advocates have also sued the state over an alleged lack of pollution controls. That suit is currently pending in state court. Ed Williams is a staff reporter for Searchlight New Mexico. Susan Montoya Bryan is Southwest Chief Correspondent for the Associated Press. AP journalist Sharon Lurye contributed to this report from New Orleans.
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Air Quality in Schools: Camfil Launches Guide to Improving Academic Experience with Improved IAQ
05/19/2025, Riverdale, NJ // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Camfil, a global leader in school air filtration solutions, has unveiled a new resource designed to help schools improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and enhance learning outcomes. The guide highlights the critical role of air filtration in student health, cognitive performance, and overall school productivity, as part of Camfil's broader efforts to educate the public about the importance of air quality. Indoor air quality in schools is a crucial yet often overlooked factor in academic performance. The new guide from Camfil outlines the key air quality challenges schools face, including exposure to particulate matter, biological contaminants, mold, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). It also explores how removing these pollutants from the air can lead to healthier, higher-performing learning environments. 'Improving air quality in schools is essential for creating a safe and healthy learning environment for students and staff. One effective way to achieve this is by implementing high-quality air filters,' says Mark Davidson, Camfil's Manager of Marketing and Technical Materials, 'With concerns about airborne illnesses and environmental contaminants, investing in air filtration systems has become a priority for many schools.' Key highlights of the article, Clean Air for Academic Success, include: Camfil's IAQ guide introduces actionable strategies for implementing high-quality air filtration systems in schools, emphasizing options such as medical-grade HEPA filters and standalone air purifier units for classrooms without modern HVAC systems. Relying on empirical data alongside their combined decades of experience providing air quality solutions to schools, healthcare facilities, and other commercial buildings, Camfil's team demonstrates how such systems contribute to measurable improvements in air quality, academic success, and long-term health outcomes. Explore Camfil's guide, Clean Air for Academic Success, to learn how schools can create healthier learning environments today. About Camfil About Camfil Clean Air Solutions For more than half a century, Camfil has been helping people breathe cleaner air. As a leading manufacturer of premium clean air solutions, we provide commercial and industrial systems for air filtration and air pollution control that improve worker and equipment productivity, minimize energy use, and benefit human health and the environment – so we can all breathe easier. To discover how Camfil USA can help you to protect people, processes and the environment, visit us at ## For media inquiries, please contact: Lynne Laake Camfil USA Air Filters T: 888.599.6620 E: [email protected] F: Friend Camfil USA on Facebook T: Follow Camfil USA on Twitter Y: Watch Camfil Videos on YouTube L: Follow our LinkedIn Page Source published by Submit Press Release >> Air Quality in Schools: Camfil Launches Guide to Improving Academic Experience with Improved IAQ
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New rules may stop McDonald's near Bishop's Stortford school, MP
New government rules could help block plans for a McDonald's restaurant near a school, the area's MP has June 2024, developer Countryside applied for a fast food outlet on the St James' Park development, Hertfordshire, close to Bishop's Stortford High the application went in, the new Labour government has announced changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) allowing local authorities to refuse applications for fast food outlets within walking distance of MP for Hertford and Stortford Josh Dean told BBC Politics East: "This government has amended the NPPF so there'll be a presumption against this type of development." He added: "I have been very clear that I am opposed to this development and I know a number of residents and councillors share my concerns." McDonald's said it was working with "local stakeholders" over the plans and was proud of its role in said it had contributed £94.5bn to the UK economy since it opened its first restaurant in the country in 1974. Dale Reeve, the head teacher of Bishop's Stortford High School, said: "My biggest concern is obviously the students' health."Putting in a McDonald's restaurant a two-minute walk away from our school just places temptation in front of students."There will be students who will be able to sit in our classroom and look out and see a McDonald's..."This easily accessible and largely unhealthy food would be a serious problem for students." Psychologist Dr Suzanna Forwood, an associate professor at Anglia Ruskin University, said: "We ban the advertising of the products already."So why would we allow the same products to be placed outside schools where children have to go on a daily basis?"A McDonald's spokesman said: "We pride ourselves on being a good neighbour in the communities in which we operate, and look forward to continuing to work with the council and all local stakeholders to ensure our plans are right for the community of St James' Park."When it comes to our food, we believe in making it easier for customers to balance health, taste, and value and in giving people choice. We will always be transparent about our ingredients and have provided nutritional information for over 30 years. "We continue to evolve our menu to ensure our customers can make informed decisions, with 58% of our menu now classified as non-HFSS (not high in fat, salt or sugar) and 89% of our items in our core menu containing under 500 calories." BBC Politics East will be broadcast on Sunday 11 May at 10:00 GMT on BBC One in the East of England, and will be available after broadcast on BBC Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
CNN
08-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Dr. Gupta investigates Milwaukee's school lead crisis
Dr. Gupta investigates Milwaukee's school lead crisis CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta travels to Milwaukee, where several school buildings have closed due to aging paint that exposed children to lead, a neurotoxin. 01:50 - Source: CNN Utah is first state to ban decades-old health policy Utah becomes the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water. CNN's Meg Tirrell reports on why the state is pivoting away from decades-old health policy despite concerns the ban will lead to a rise in health complications, especially among young children from low-income families. 01:13 - Source: CNN First cargo ships facing 145% tariffs arrive in LA Ships now pulling into LA's harbor from China are the first to be subject to massive tariffs. Shipments have dropped by 50%. CNN's Nick Watt is on the ground at the port of Los Angeles. 01:00 - Source: CNN Pilot of crashed plane describes what it was like being rescued from alligator-infested swamp Pablo Andrés Velarde, a pilot in Bolivia, emergency landed his plane after an engine failure but it was no paved tarmac that awaited the plane's wheels. Instead, Velarde and passengers found themselves stranded for days in marshland with alligators and snakes. The pilot described to CNN the harrowing rescue that ensued. 01:13 - Source: CNN Inside Terminal B as hundreds of flight delays hit major hub Newark International Airport was faced with pandemonium on Monday after hundreds of flights were delayed and more than 150 canceled following a FAA-ordered ground stop due to low cloud cover. CNN's Brynn Gingras was live from Terminal B where many international passengers were stranded for hours. 00:54 - Source: CNN Diddy Trial day one: Prospective jurors The jury selection in Sean "Diddy" Combs' racketeering and sex trafficking trial started today. CNN's Kara Scannell explains who the prospective jurors are and who has been dismissed. 00:57 - Source: CNN Confusion at packed New Jersey Motor Vehicle office as REAL ID deadline hits CNN's Danny E. Freeman visited Motor Vehicle offices in New Jersey where residents successfully, and unsuccessfully, tried to figure out the correct documents to get a REAL ID. Still others scrambled to figure out if their IDs were compliant with new TSA rules. 01:23 - Source: CNN Alcatraz's decay poses reopening challenges President Donald Trump announced he wants to turn Alcatraz Island into a working prison, but can the infrastructure hold up? CNN's Veronica Miracle visited the prison's first cellblock to see how infrastructure decay could significantly hamper reopening the facility. 00:32 - Source: CNN Trump posts AI-generated image of himself as the pope days before conclave vote President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as the pope prompting swift backlash just days before the conclave is set to elect Pope Francis' successor. The Vatican has declined to comment on the matter. 01:00 - Source: CNN US stock market's rollercoaster ride since Trump took office President Donald Trump's first 100 days coincided with the stock market's third-worst start to any presidency in US history, only behind Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Yet by the 100-day mark of Trump's presidency, Wall Street has been shaken by historic levels of uncertainty and volatility. 00:51 - Source: CNN Rare volcanic eruption not seen in nearly 40 years Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano could be seen hurling lava upwards of 300 feet into the air during a series of 'rapid rebounds,' which scientists say hasn't been seen in nearly 40 years. 00:33 - Source: CNN Walmart shopper charged with attempted kidnapping Mahendra Patel walked into a Walmart in Acworth, Georgia looking for Tylenol but was later charged with trying to kidnap a two-year-old boy. Surveillance video obtained by the man's lawyer shows the incident. 01:11 - Source: CNN CNN anchors make Kentucky Derby predictions Every jockey, every owner and every trainer wants the chance to win the Kentucky Derby but only one of this year's 19 horses will do it. The bookies' favorite for this year's race is Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, at 3-1. No surprise, that name came up a lot when CNN anchors were asked whose got their pick. 00:57 - Source: CNN SpaceX's Starbase seeks Texas city status Starbase is an emerging community in Texas where SpaceX has long conducted its launches. On the brink of becoming an official city, CNN's Ed Lavandera examines how this transformation raises questions about Elon Musk's expanding influence and its implications for the local community and economy. 01:09 - Source: CNN CNN sports anchor explains how to bet on the Kentucky Derby Dubbed the 'Greatest Two Minutes in Sports' – a nod to its approximate run time – the Derby is the first race in US horse racing's coveted Triple Crown, which also includes the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. 01:20 - Source: CNN Prince Harry: 'I would love reconciliation with my family' In an explosive interview with the BBC, Prince Harry says his father, King Charles, no longer speaks to him, and that he would 'love reconciliation' with the royal family. He spoke the same day he lost a court case over the UK government's decision to strip him of his police protection. CNN's Max Foster explains. 01:12 - Source: CNN How rich is the Ivy League? The Trump Administration has frozen billions of dollars in federal funding to Ivy League schools. These same institutions have endowments bigger than the GDPs of some small countries. So why do these universities need money from the federal government and what's at stake if they lose it? 02:49 - Source: CNN Worldwide protests on May Day Thousands of people across the country and around the world are demonstrating in the streets to celebrate May Day for various political reasons. Video shows protests turn violent in Paris. 01:03 - Source: CNN Will Ford raise prices due to Trump's tariffs? President Donald Trump signed an executive order and proclamation to ease auto tariffs, but the 25 percent tariff on imported cars remains in place and a new 25% tariff on auto parts will go into effect soon. CNN's Erin Burnett speaks with Ford CEO Jim Farley about how Trump's tariffs could impact vehicle pricing. 00:42 - Source: CNN High schoolers potentially facing kidnapping charges after hazing incident At least 11 high school students in Syracuse, New York, have 48 hours to turn themselves in or face felony charges of kidnapping for their alleged involvement in victimizing at least five younger lacrosse players in an incident the district attorney says 'goes way beyond hazing.' 01:25 - Source: CNN 'Where's my camera?': Astronaut shares wondrous views from space NASA astronaut Don Pettit describes his love for photography and the images he took in his first press conference since returning from his fourth mission to space. 00:48 - Source: CNN LA port director says it faces steep drop in shipping Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka shares that the port expects a steep drop in shipping amid President Donald Trump's tariffs. 00:55 - Source: CNN
CNN
08-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
What caused Milwaukee's school lead crisis?
CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta travels to Milwaukee, where several school buildings have closed due to aging paint that exposed children to lead, a neurotoxin.
