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Federal Task Force on Children’s Health Releases Lead Resource Guide

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:02:00 -0700

The President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children (Task Force) published an interim Federal Lead Resourc

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Federal Task Force on Children's Health Releases Lead Resource Guide

The President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children (Task Force) published an interim Federal Lead Resource Guide (The Guide). The Guide is a collection of select Federal lead-related resources, programs and assistance opportunities for use by the public.

Access the Federal Lead Resource Guide

Resources included in this Guide direct the public to agency-specific information on lead related:

Awareness resources
Financial opportunities
Regulatory resources
Technical information
Toolkits and guidance documents

The Guide is considered interim at the time of this release, while the Task Force works on improving its organization to best serve the public.

Lead In the News – CDC and EPA Support Schools in Milwaukee

Last year, four children were determined to have been exposed to high levels of lead in the schools in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When investigators initially discovered seven schools with flaking lead paint and elevated levels of lead dust inside classrooms and basements, the school buildings were closed and remediated. Lead was found in many additional schools which have been or are currently being remediated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency have been working with Milwaukee by supporting their blood lead testing efforts for the children in the Milwaukee Public Schools and in raising awareness of the hazards of lead exposure.

The Federal Lead Resource Guide can help communities navigate future challenges and quickly identify available federal resources.

Background

The Task Force is a federal interagency group that coordinates national policy, guidance, and action to reduce environmental and safety risks to children's health.

In December 2018, the Task Force released its Federal Lead Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts (Federal Lead Action Plan). The Federal Lead Action Plan serves as a blueprint for reducing lead exposure and associated harms through collaborations among federal agencies with a range of stakeholders. By releasing this Guide, the Task Force is completing important objectives committed to within the Federal Lead Action Plan.

The Task Force will continue to update this Guide as more resources become available or existing resources are revised. Proposals for additional resources or comments on the guide are welcome.

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EPA Policy on Children’s Health

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:17:00 -0700

Children are the future of our nation, and protecting their health is foundational to EPA's core mission to safeguard human health and the e

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EPA Policy on Children's Health

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has signed EPA's Policy on Children's Health, reaffirming the Agency's commitment to protect children from environmental exposures by consistently and explicitly considering early-life exposures and potential lifelong health impacts.

"Children are the future of our nation, and protecting their health is foundational to EPA's core mission to safeguard human health and the environment," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

The policy:

Reflects our commitment to Gold Standard Science and reinforces EPA's responsibility to protect children where they live, learn, and play.
Underscores the importance of evaluating risks across all life stages.
Encourages transparency in addressing data gaps and using sound risk assessment to inform child protective decisions.
Explains EPA's expectation that programs consider and integrate children's health in regulations, enforcement, research, permitting, and partnerships.

Children are uniquely vulnerable due to differences in biology and behavior compared to adults. Exposure to pollutants during early life—beginning with parental reproductive health and pregnancy, then continuing through infancy, childhood, and adolescence—can shape health across a lifetime and even affect future generations. Protecting children now strengthens EPA's ability to deliver lasting safeguards that support healthy families and a thriving America.

Under the Trump Administration, EPA is focused on practical, science‑driven action that delivers real results for the American people. Protecting children's environmental health is central to that mission. From reducing lead exposure to ensuring access to clean air, land, and water, EPA's work today helps secure healthier futures and long‑term prosperity for generations to come.

Read the Policy

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EPA Seeks Applicants for National Environmental Education and Training Program

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:53:00 -0700

EPA Seeks Applicants for National Environmental Education and Training Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of up to $4.7 million in funding under the National Environmental Education and Training Program to strengthen environmental education nationwide by supporting training programs for educators and professionals and improving how environmental topics are taught and communicated. EPA anticipates that one award will be made under this announcement that will be incrementally funded annually for two years, depending on Agency funding levels, the quality of applications received, agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. Awards funded under this opportunity are expected to have a two-year project period.

Eligible entities include Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), Nonprofit organizations, and consortiums of IHEs, or a combination of both.

This funding is meant to build a more environmentally literate public by equipping educators with better knowledge and tools.

Applicants are encouraged to address and leverage the following funding priorities in their proposed projects in support of EO 14313, Establishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission:

Environmental Stewardship
Outdoor Education
Environmental Risk Issue Investigations
AI-Enhanced Environmental Education

Applications are due by April 27, 2026.

Interested in learning more? Visit the National Environmental Education Training Program webpage or Grants.Gov announcement for EPA-OA-NEETP-26.

Office of the Administrator / U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Education and Stewardship Division

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Submit nominations now: National Drinking Water Advisory Council

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:31:00 -0700

Submit nominations through April 8, 2026.

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Submit Nominations Now

National Drinking Water Advisory Council

EPA is currently seeking nominations for National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC). Visit the Federal Register to submit nominations through April 8, 2026.

Learn more and submit a nomination.

NDWAC is a Federal Advisory Committee that provides EPA with advice and recommendations related to national drinking water programs.

The Office of Water is seeking nominations of qualified candidates from the general
public, states and local governments, and representatives of private organizations or groups demonstrating an active interest in safe drinking water.

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EPA Announces Path Forward to Revamp the Clean School Bus Program to Provide Safe, Affordable, Efficient Transportation for America’s Youth

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 13:59:00 -0800

Seeks Public Input to Reform the Program to Ensure Best Use of Taxpayer Dollars and Deliver Results for American Families

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EPA Announces Path Forward to Revamp the Clean School Bus Program to Provide Safe, Affordable, Efficient Transportation for America's Youth

Seeks Public Input to Reform the Program to Ensure Best Use of Taxpayer Dollars and Deliver Results for American Families

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the path forward to revamp the Clean School Bus (CSB) Program to provide school districts with increased choice and affordable options for school buses. By doing so, EPA will strengthen oversight and compliance actions in a way that aligns with President Trump's Day One executive orders and ensure hard-earned American tax dollars are being put to the best use possible. The updates to the program will help bring back American auto jobs and unleash American energy production—key pillars to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin's Powering the Great American Comeback initiative.

Since 2021, the Biden-era program has forced unsafe and unreliable electric buses onto American schools. There are multiple well-documented examples of one particular bus manufacturer failing to deliver buses altogether despite preemptively receiving tens of millions of tax dollars from the CSB program. To fix these issues, the Trump EPA will seek public input on the availability, cost, and performance of alternative school bus fuels and technologies. This feedback will help reform the program to bring consumer choice back to schools and deliver results for American families, while still fulfilling congressional intent.

"As was the case with so many of the Biden-era programs, the Clean School Bus program has been a disaster of poor management and wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars. At the Trump EPA, we have zero tolerance for reckless spending. Today, EPA takes the next step to set the program straight," said EPA Administrator Zeldin. "Americans can rest assured that moving forward, the program will be safe, effective, and use reliable forms of American energy."

In line with the Trump EPA's commitment to consumer choice, today the agency is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to seek feedback from fleet operators, manufacturers, school officials, and energy producers on a broad range of fuel options that school bus sectors could use. These fuel options include biofuels, compressed natural gas, liquified natural gas, and hydrogen. While the law has always allowed for these fuel options, the Biden Administration intentionally limited their availability to push the use of government subsidized electric buses. By providing more options to school districts, EPA will ensure they can purchase the right types of school buses for their specific needs. EPA intends to use the information gathered from the RFI and lessons learned from previous funding rounds to revamp the CSB program for the 2026 grant funding round. The public can expect this next round of funding to prioritize child safety, fiscal responsibility, and reliable buses worthy of their tax dollars for American schools—aspects that have all been lacking in previous rounds under the Biden Administration.

Additionally, EPA will not be awarding funds as part of the 2024 CSB Rebate Program. EPA thanks applicants for their interest and encourages them to apply for the new grant program. The agency will provide more details on the 2026 grants and eligibility requirements in the near future through a Notice of Funding Opportunity. EPA is committed to ensuring the CSB program delivers clean air for all Americans and fulfills the agency's core mission of protecting human health and the environment. Every taxpayer dollar spent through the CSB Program under the Trump EPA will strengthen school transportation reliability, invest in America's children, and fulfill all statutory obligations.

EPA will hold a 45-day public comment period on the RFI, which will include an informational webinar on March 3, 2026, to help answer questions on the RFI. To comment on the RFI or register for the informational webinar, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus.

Background

In 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act directed EPA to create the CSB Program and to fund vehicle replacement projects totaling $5 billion over five years (FY 2022-2026) for the replacement of existing school buses with clean school buses or zero-emission school buses, as well as some fueling infrastructure.

The Biden-Harris Administration disastrously gave out around $2.7 billion in funding under the CSB program with 90 percent going to electric school buses and the rest going to propane-fueled buses. Most notably, Lion Electric, a manufacturer of electric buses, went bankrupt in 2024. This was despite having received approximately $160 million directly in CSB funding, and with school districts using their own CSB awards to also purchase Lion Electric buses. To date, some buses remain undelivered and not adequately maintained due to Lion Electric's action. EPA is not able to comment further on matters pertaining to ongoing litigation but is evaluating potential options once the bankruptcy proceedings conclude.

Under the Trump Administration, EPA has not given out any funding under the program. Under Administrator Zeldin's leadership, EPA is committed to being exceptional stewards of taxpayer dollars. Since being confirmed as EPA Administrator, Administrator Zeldin has cancelled roughly $30 billion in wasteful grants and contracts across the agency.

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2026 Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings Grant Program

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:33:00 -0800

Applications due April 15, 2026

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2026 Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings Grant Program

Applications due April 15, 2026

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing over $13.5 million in available funding for states, federally recognized Tribes, public pre-schools, local educational agencies, and public and private non-profit organizations through the 2026 Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings Grant Program. This competitive federal assistance program provides grants for the assessment, prevention, control or abatement of wildfire smoke hazards in community buildings and related activities. The program supports activities that enhance community wildfire smoke preparedness and reduce indoor exposures to pollutants in wildfire smoke. The program aims to prioritize projects in communities that have a demonstrated wildfire smoke risk and targets public buildings or buildings that serve the public. Priority project types include:

Smoke readiness planning.
Outreach and training for smoke readiness.
Indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring.
Deployment of portable air cleaners.
Identification and preparation of cleaner air shelters.
Significant improvements to buildings, such as upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units or systems and weatherization.

Apply Here

EPA's Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings Grant Program supports activities that enhance community wildfire smoke preparedness and reduce indoor exposures to pollutants in wildfire smoke. The program aims to prioritize projects in communities that have a demonstrated wildfire smoke risk and targets public buildings or buildings that serve the public.

EPA will host an information session for potential applicants. During the webinar, EPA will provide an overview of the 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity and the application process.

Date: February 25, 2026
Time: 1- 2 p.m. ET

Register Here

Note: All applicants must have an active SAM.gov and Grants.gov registration in order to apply for a grant under this program. You should register in these systems now if you think you may apply for a federal grant. The process can take a month or more for new registrants. For this reason, the application window will be open for 75 days. Find more information about how to register.

Find questions and answers, and other information about this funding opportunity.

Learn more about the Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings grant program.

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Join EPA Tomorrow (2/5) for the EE Grant Webinar

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Wed, 4 Feb 2026 08:08:00 -0800

Join us tomorrow for EPA's Environmental Education Grant NOFO Webinar

This is a friendly reminder to join EPA's Environmental Education and Stewardship Division (EESD) tomorrow, February 5, 2026, for our informational EE Grant webinar. During this webinar EESD staff will provide a general overview of the Environmental Education Grant NOFO (EPA-EE-25-01), discuss how to write a competitive application, and address commonly asked questions.

Registration is not required. To join, click the link provided below on February 5, 2026 at 1 P.M. ET. Following the webinar, a recording will be made available on this page.

Webinar Details

Date: February 5, 2026
Time: 1 pm E.T./12 PM C.T./ 11 AM M.T./10 AM P.T.
Click Here to Join the Webinar

We encourage anyone interested in applying, supporting applicants, or learning more about the program to attend.

Environmental Education and Stewardship Division
Office of the Administrator / U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA Seeks Applicants for Environmental Education Grants

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:16:00 -0800

EPA announced up to $3.2 million in funding for environmental education grants to support local, community-driven projects that help...

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EPA Seeks Applicants for Environmental Education Grants

EPA announced up to $3.2 million in funding for environmental education grants to support local, community-driven projects that help Americans protect their water, health, and natural surroundings. EPA expects to award up to 16 grants nationwide, ranging from $200,000 to $250,000 each through the Environmental Education Grant Program.

The Environmental Education Grant Program is designed to give Americans the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their environment; from protecting local waterways to supporting responsible stewardship in their own backyards. These grants support hands-on projects that help people better understand environmental challenges in their own communities and take practical steps to address them. Projects supported under this program emphasize real-world learning, community engagement, and solutions that can be applied at the local level.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now posted on www.grants.gov and the Environmental Education Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity webpage and applications are due on March 3, 2026.

EPA's Environmental Education and Stewardship Division will host a webinar on February 5, 2026, to provide a general overview of the current NOFO, discuss how to write a competitive application, and answer commonly asked questions. Webinar registration details will be available on https://www.epa.gov/education/grants#webinar.

Stay up to date on all environmental education grant information, including announcements related to upcoming webinar registration, by subscribing to the Environmental Education listserv.

Background

Since 1992, EPA has distributed between $2 and $3.5 million in grant funding per year under the Environmental Education Grant program, supporting more than 3,980 grants and making this grant program one of the most utilized in the agency. Additional background information on the Environmental Education Grants Program, along with helpful resources and templates for applicants can be found on the Environmental Education Grant Homepage.

Visit the Environmental Education grant FAQ and EPA Grants Community Library of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpages to learn more about the current competition and the federal grant process.

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Webinar Announcement - Environmental Education Grant NOFO

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:39:00 -0800

Join us for EPA's Environmental Education Grant NOFO Webinar

Planning to apply for an Environmental Education Grant? EPA's Environmental Education and Stewardship Division is hosting an informational webinar on February 5, 2026 to provide a general overview of the Environmental Education Grant NOFO (EPA-EE-25-01), discuss how to write a competitive application, and address commonly asked questions.

Registration is not required. To join, click the link provided below on February 5, 2026 at 1 P.M. ET. Following the webinar, a recording will be made available on this page.

Webinar Details

Date: February 5, 2026
Time: 1 pm E.T./12 PM C.T./ 11 AM M.T./10 AM P.T.
Click Here to Join the Webinar

Environmental Education and Stewardship Division
Office of the Administrator / U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA Announces Next Step in Gold Standard Review of Fluoride to Inform Protective Recommendations

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 09:35:00 -0800

This action utilizes data sharing, peer review, and interagency collaboration as the agency supports a whole-of-government approach to...

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EPA Announces Next Step in Gold Standard Review of Fluoride to Inform Protective Recommendations 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the next step in the agency's accelerated review of public health risks from fluoride in drinking water: the agency's release of the "Review of Science on Fluoride in Drinking Water: Preliminary Assessment Plan and Literature Survey." This fast-track effort marks a critical step in Administrator Zeldin's April 2025 directive to expedite EPA's next fluoride health assessment under the Safe Drinking Water Act schedule, while adhering to gold-standard scientific methods and radical transparency. This action utilizes data sharing, peer review, and interagency collaboration as the agency supports a whole-of-government approach to address public concerns with fluoride, particularly those outcomes related to childhood development and maternal and infant health. 

"Making America Healthy Again is a top priority, especially when it comes to concerns about what is in our water," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "Every American should be able to count on safe, healthy drinking water when they pour a glass to drink or use it to cook a meal, especially for a child. The Trump EPA is working in lockstep with Secretary Kennedy and following gold standard science to guide our next steps to protect drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act." 

"Science is always evolving, and our policies should too," said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "A growing body of evidence indicates that ingesting fluoride can cause neurological harm, and other adverse effects. By contrast, fluoride's benefits to teeth come almost entirely from topical contact, not from ingestion. Most of Europe has already moved away from water fluoridation in favor of topical products such as toothpaste, and it may well be time for the U.S. to follow suit."

Rather than conducting a fluoride risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the agency determined that a review under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), led by the Office of Water, is the most appropriate regulatory pathway for addressing fluoride as a drinking water contaminant. This decision reflects SDWA's specific statutory framework for protecting public health from contaminants in drinking water systems.

The Preliminary Assessment Plan and Literature Survey announced today outlines the transparent and systematic approach EPA intends to follow in evaluating scientific studies of fluoride health effects. The plan describes the key science issues EPA will consider, including sensitive populations such as infants and children, and compiles a literature survey of relevant health effects studies to be evaluated in the assessment. Releasing this plan for public comment is a critical step next step in developing a new, comprehensive health assessment on fluoride in drinking water.

The assessment will reflect a comprehensive, current, and accurate review of the best available scientific data on fluoride exposure and health effects, conducted with external peer review and public input to inform potential revisions to federal drinking water regulations that bring the nation closer to evidence-based standards that protect future generations. EPA will use gold standard scientific practices, draw on expertise across the federal government, and will not prejudge any outcomes of the assessment.

EPA's role under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is to limit the amount of contaminants in drinking water provided by public water systems to protect public health. EPA previously set the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for fluoride at 4.0 milligrams per liter, a standard designed to prevent known or anticipated adverse health effects that was set in 1986 and most recently reviewed in 2024. Under normal SDWA timelines, the next comprehensive analysis of new scientific information on potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water would not be due until 2030, but EPA has accelerated this work to deliver updated science to the public sooner while maintaining rigorous review and quality controls.

Decisions on whether to add fluoride to drinking water are guided by public health recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and have ultimately been made at the state or local level. U.S. Public Health Service has issued Recommendations for Fluoride Concentration in Drinking Water for the Prevention of Dental Caries, otherwise known as tooth decay. CDC's Community Water Fluoridation Program recommends amounts of fluoride in drinking water to best prevent cavities. Their recommended optimal level of fluoride is 0.7 milligrams per liter. These recommendations are just that – recommendations that are advisory and do not alter EPA's legal role under the SDWA.

The federal regulatory standards set by EPA apply regardless of whether fluoride is naturally occurring in a system's source water or is intentionally added by the water system. EPA's responsibility is to ensure that overall fluoride levels remain within health-protective limits, but the agency does not make policy recommendations to state or local systems to add fluoride to drinking water.

EPA's new plan will be available for public comment for 30 days once it is published in the Federal Register. EPA will host a public webinar on January 28, 2026, to discuss the assessment plan as well as next steps. Registration for the webinar will be available here.

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EPA Announces NEW Environmental Education Grant Competition

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 06:02:00 -0800

EPA Seeks Applicants for Environmental Education Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $3.2 million in funding for locally and regionally focused environmental education grants is now available under the Environmental Education (EE) Grant Program. EPA will award grants between $200,000-$250,000 each, up to 16 grants nationwide.

These grants support hands-on projects that help people better understand environmental challenges in their own communities and take practical steps to address them. Funded projects will focus on environmental education efforts that use modern tools, including artificial intelligence, to help identify problems early, monitor water quality, and prevent future water contamination before it affects families and neighborhoods. Funded projects will also provide participants the skills necessary to make informed decisions to take responsible actions toward environment stewardship.

Applications are due on March 3, 2026.

Interested in learning more?

Review EE Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Visit the Environmental Education Grant homepage

Environmental Education and Stewardship Division
Office of the Administrator / U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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EPA Requests Nominations for Panel Members and Ad Hoc Reviewers for the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Tue, 6 Jan 2026 14:55:00 -0800

The SACC serves as a scientific peer review mechanism of EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

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EPA Requests Nominations for Panel Members and Ad Hoc Reviewers for the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting nominations for scientific experts to be appointed to the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) panel. The agency is also soliciting nominations for as ad hoc reviewers for 2026 peer review meetings.

The SACC serves as a scientific peer review mechanism of EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. It provides independent scientific advice and recommendations to EPA on the scientific basis for risk assessments, methodologies and pollution prevention measures and approaches for chemicals regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

SACC members serve staggered terms of appointment, generally of three years. Currently, there are ten SACC members with terms that will expire over the next year. Nominations should include candidates who have demonstrated high levels of competence, knowledge, and expertise in scientific/technical fields relevant to chemical safety and risk assessment. On January 5, 2025, additional details on the desired areas of expertise can be found on the Federal Register website on document FRL 13130-01.

For 2026, EPA is considering peer review for ten chemicals designated as high priority for risk evaluation under TSCA. EPA is intending to convene two SACC peer review meetings anticipated to occur in early and mid-2026. Nominees for ad hoc reviewers should be scientists who have sufficient professional qualifications, including training and expertise, to be capable of providing expert comments on the scientific issues for this review. On January 5, 2025, additional details on the desired areas of expertise can be found on the Federal Register on document FRL 13124-01. The final selection of the ad hoc peer reviewers will depend upon the scientific expertise needed to address the SACC peer review charge questions as well as to obtain a breadth and balance of different scientific viewpoints across the SACC and ad hoc peer reviewers.

For appointments to the SACC and for ad hoc reviewers, prospective candidates will be asked to submit confidential financial information. This confidential financial information must fully disclose, among other financial interests, the candidate's employment, stocks and bonds, and where applicable, sources of research support. EPA evaluates the candidates' financial disclosure forms to assess whether there are financial conflicts of interest, appearance of a loss of impartiality, or any prior involvement with the development of the documents under consideration (including previous scientific peer review) before the candidates are considered further.

Nominations for SACC appointments and ad hoc reviewers are due no later than 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register, via email to the SACC mailbox: SACC@epa.gov.

You can also contact the SACC Designated Federal Officer and Executive Secretary, Tamue Gibson, at Gibson.Tamue@epa.gov for more information.

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EPA's School Indoor Air Quality Newsletter - Winter Edition

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Mon, 5 Jan 2026 08:04:00 -0800

EPA is celebrating Children's Health Month. Children are often more vulnerable to pollutants than adults due to differences in behavior...

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EPA's School Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Newsletter

Winter Edition

Winter weather can present unique indoor air quality challenges for schools, including frozen and burst pipes, increased spread of respiratory viruses, exhaust from idling vehicles trying to keep warm, condensation dripping off poorly insulated windows, and issues with maintaining comfortable temperature and humidity. Winter also offers an opportunity for schools to reevaluate their indoor environments and implement an indoor air quality management plan with help from EPA's Tools for Schools Action Kit.

Keep reading for the latest school IAQ resources from EPA and its partners.

EPA resources

Check out EPA's school IAQ training webinars

Did you know that EPA offers a suite of recorded webinars tailored for school districts seeking to launch or strengthen an IAQ management program? Through the IAQ Tools for Schools program, school district administrators, teachers, nurses, operations and maintenance staff, and other facilities staff can access our webinar series – all at no-cost and available anytime. View the recordings to learn from leading technical experts and model school districts on topics like asthma trigger management, HVAC operations, moisture control, preventive maintenance, and integrating IAQ with energy efficient operations. These webinars include evidence-based implementation strategies that any school district – regardless of size or location – can adopt.

Meet the Air Cleaning Allies!

The Air Cleaning Allies are the stars of EPA's new activity book for children ages 7+. Follow along as they help a family learn about and address sources of indoor particle pollution. Students can join the adventure and complete a series of activities to learn about filtration and air cleaning with Merv the air filter, Aerie the air cleaner and DJ the do-it-yourself air cleaner.

Learn about radon with the Clean Air Superheroes!

In addition to the Air Cleaning Allies, EPA also published the Clean Air Superheroes Defeat Radon Activity Book. Students can join Mateo and his friends as they become superheroes in their community, learning about radon and how to defeat it in their homes. Follow along through fun, comic book-style illustrations and complete interactive activities, such as coloring pages, word searches, and I Spy.

EPA grantee resources

The American Lung Association's (ALA) Clean Air School Challenge

To help more schools address IAQ, ALA launched the Clean Air School Challenge. Through this program, grant funding is available for schools who assess their indoor air quality, develop an IAQ management plan, and/or implement some activities of an IAQ management plan. Individual schools can receive up to $9,500. Grant applications are non-competitive and no matching funds are required, but schools must join the Clean Air School Challenge to get started. Participating schools will also receive technical assistance, training, and the opportunity to join learning collaboratives. Check out answers to frequently asked questions, sign your school up today or contact CASC@Lung.org to get more information.
ALA published a new report on IAQ in schools, A Win-Win for Lung Health: How Policies on Indoor Air Quality Make Schools Healthier and More Energy Efficient. Watch a short intro video and read the report to learn about school IAQ policies.

The Go Green Initiative (GGI)

In partnership with the National School Boards Association, GGI is accepting applications through February 27, 2026, for their second round of school district grants. Selected districts will receive up to $45,000 in grants and in-person technical assistance for implementing an energy efficient IAQ management plan. Learn more and apply today.
GGI and the National School Boards Association's 50-state IAQ in schools policy database is now available! Learn what IAQ in schools-related requirements exist in your state and download a ready-to-use policy template aligned with state regulations.
Every month, GGI is updating its website with new articles, blogs, and podcasts; webinars; and free online courses.

The U.S. Green Building Council's Center for Green Schools

The Center for Green Schools released an updated toolkit to support K-12 school districts in writing comprehensive Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plans. The free toolkit provides ready-to-use model plan language, background information, key resources, and case studies for school districts seeking to document their IAQ management practices while also prioritizing energy efficiency. To make it even easier, here is a short video explaining what a district-level Energy Efficient IAQ Management Plan is, why it matters, and how to get started.
The Center for Green Schools published a new report, Setting a New School Indoor Air Quality Research Agenda. School systems rely on clear guidance and evidence to take meaningful action on improving air quality, yet current research does not always align with the needs of school stakeholders. To address this gap, the Center engaged approximately 100 school staff and researchers through four convenings held between 2023 and 2025 to co-develop a research agenda grounded in the challenges and priorities of K-12 schools. The resulting research agenda outlines the most pressing, actionable research questions schools need answered to advance healthier learning environments. The Center also published a one-page executive summary of the report.
The Center for Green Schools and the Green Schools National Network will present the 16th annual Green Schools Conference on February 17-19, 2026, in San Diego, CA. Visit the website to learn more and register.

The New York State School Environmental Health Program

In observance of National Radon Action Month, the New York State School Environmental Health Program is hosting a webinar on Radon Information for Schools on Tuesday, January 13. Topics discussed will include radon properties, health risks, New York regulations, and guidance on testing and mitigation. Register today.

The University of Utah's Clean Air Schools for U

Visit the University of Utah's Clean Air Schools for U website to learn about their work with schools and sign up to participate in their program.

Learn more about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance and access other valuable school environmental health resources at www.epa.gov/iaq-schools.

If you have questions about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance, please contact iaqschools@epa.gov.

Learn more about Indoor Air Quality.

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EPA Announces Intent to Regulate Dozens of Uses of Five Phthalate Chemicals to Protect Workers and Environment

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Fri, 2 Jan 2026 11:11:00 -0800

Agency's comprehensive risk evaluations find unreasonable risks requiring regulatory action

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EPA Announces Intent to Regulate Dozens of Uses of Five Phthalate Chemicals to Protect Workers and Environment

Agency's comprehensive risk evaluations find unreasonable risks requiring regulatory action

December 31, 2025

Contact Information

EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it will move to regulate dozens of applications of five widely used phthalate chemicals to address environmental and workplace risks. This decision is based on final risk evaluations, released today, for each of these chemicals: Butyl Benzyl Phthalate (BBP), Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Dicyclohexyl Phthalate (DCHP), Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP), and Diisobutyl Phthalate (DIBP), commonly used to make plastics more flexible in everything from building materials to industrial applications. EPA used gold standard science and tapped independent peer reviewers to reach its conclusions that all five chemicals it reviewed pose unreasonable risks to workers and to the environment. EPA's regulatory focus will target the specific uses that harm workers or threaten the environment.

"Our gold standard science delivered clear answers that these phthalates pose unreasonable risk to workers in specific industrial settings and to the environment," said Administrator Lee Zeldin. " We'll work directly with stakeholders to develop targeted protections that keep workers safe and protect our environment. This is exactly what science-based environmental protection should look like."

Phthalates have the potential to cause human health abnormalities that EPA is seriously concerned with, including hormone deficiencies and endocrine disruption. It's also important to note that gold standard science also shows that these health impacts do not occur at all exposure levels. The key factor in determining risk is whether people are exposed to amounts above levels that could cause health problems. Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk evaluation process, EPA focuses specifically on uses regulated under the federal chemical safety law. EPA's TSCA risk evaluation does not analyze exposures from food, food additives, food packaging, medical devices, cosmetics and other consumer products that are under the purview of the Food and Drug Administration or Consumer Product Safety Commission. For the consumer uses that are part of this TSCA risk evaluation, EPA found no products with exposure levels that are causing unreasonable risk to the general population. In pursuit of gold standard science, dermal modeling was enhanced based on peer review feedback and public comment, especially with the replacement of rodent data with actual human data.

The agency's cumulative exposure analysis, which examined exposure to multiple phthalates simultaneously, was based on available data for individuals aged four years and older. While no national-scale biomonitoring data exists for children under four, EPA used conservative modeling approaches to specifically assess toy mouthing behaviors in infants (less than one year), as well as two- and three-year-olds, ensuring that even the most vulnerable young children were included and protected in the evaluation.

EPA will next develop rules to eliminate the identified unreasonable risks to workers and the environment. The agency will conduct extensive consultation with workers, businesses, labor groups, and communities to develop targeted, practical protections that ensure worker safety and environmental protection. Personal protective equipment, engineering controls, and alternative approaches will be carefully evaluated to create effective, implementable solutions that protect those most at risk.

BBP: Unreasonable risk to workers (2 conditions of use); environmental risks (7 conditions of use)

DBP: Unreasonable risk to workers (5 conditions of use); environmental risks (1 condition of use)

DCHP: Unreasonable risk to workers (2 conditions of use);

DEHP: Unreasonable risk to workers (10 conditions of use); environmental risks (20 conditions of use)

DIBP: Unreasonable risk to workers (4 conditions of use); environmental risks (7 conditions of use)

When EPA determines whether a chemical poses unreasonable risk, the agency must consider several key factors:

Health impacts: How the actual, real-world level of chemical exposure is affecting people's health, including cancer risks and other negative health impacts, based on how the chemical is being used

Environmental impacts: How the chemical is affecting the environment and how much exposure is occurring in real-world conditions

Who gets exposed: Which groups of people are being exposed to the chemical above levels that cause health impacts, paying special attention to vulnerable populations (like children, pregnant women, or people with existing health conditions)

How dangerous the chemical is: The severity and type of harm it can cause

What we don't know: Any gaps or uncertainties in the scientific data

EPA considers all of these factors together when determining a chemical's risks.

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Agency's comprehensive risk evaluations find unreasonable risks requiring regulatory action

noreply@blogger.com (denny iswanto) — Fri, 2 Jan 2026 10:24:00 -0800