The selection of building products, cleaning products, art and science supplies, and many other products that are used in schools can influence the health risks in the school. The use of less toxic products in schools is recommended by many as a zero to low-cost way to help protect indoor air quality in schools. In addition to creating indoor air quality pollution, hazardous chemicals often create pollution during their manufacture and disposal. Some pollute water and air; others must be disposed of as hazardous waste, or cause more harm when their containers are buried in landfills or burned in incinerators (Healthy Schools Network ).

Rubber cement, permanent felt tip markers, pottery glazes, enamels, spray fixatives, and other potentially hazardous materials are sold for use in schools, despite the fact that there are often animal and human studies demonstrating their toxicity. Chemicals used in arts and crafts supplies, and biological and chemical agents used for laboratory sciences, such as formaldehyde, may be toxic. Paints, glues, and other art, science, and vocational supplies contain chemicals that can be toxic to children and pollute the air. Industrial arts courses can expose children to metal dusts, fumes, and wood dust. Chemicals such as acetic acid, aminophenol, ammonia, hydrochloric acid, etc., are found in photo labs that often lack safety equipment and proper ventilation. Kiln firing can release clay dust, which can contain silica (known to cause fibrosis) and toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and heavy metals from the glazes. Home economics and theater exposures may include fabric dyes, oven cleaners, cosmetics, hairsprays, and fog and smoke effects generated from machines using glycols and mineral oil. Copy machines produce ozone that has been linked to lung problems and should be run only in well-ventilated rooms.

Of the 80,000 chemicals in commercial use today, only a very small fraction have been individually tested for toxicity. Unless a chemical is a food, drug, or cosmetic, there are virtually no requirements for complete toxicity testing (animal or human). The 1996 Food Quality Protection Act now requires more extensive testing of pesticides than previously required. Tests on various chemicals acting in combination with one another are practically non-existent. Despite this, a wide variety of toxic or hazardous products are routinely used in buildings. Schools are no different, except the majority of school occupants are children packed very close together. Nurses or facility managers should obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for any chemicals used in building. These can be obtained from the chemical manufacturer.

Helpful EPP Websites The Healthy Schools Network offers an 8-page guide on healthier cleaning and maintenance practices and products that promotes "green" housekeeping The Environmental Protection Agency EPP web site Federal Trade Commission provides guidance on the laws interpreting environmental marketing claims Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the environment by promoting the manufacture and sale of environmentally responsible consumer products