TRENTON – The Senate Environment and Energy Committee advanced legislation sponsored by its Vice Chair, Senator Linda Greenstein, which would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to study indoor air quality in public schools, develop a list of common indoor air contaminants in public schools, and establish guidance regarding potential mitigation measures.

Under the bill, the DEP, acting in cooperation and consultation with the Department of Education and the Rutgers Center for Green Building, would conduct a public school indoor air quality study within a year of its effective date. The study would use a representative sample of schools in the State, including those in diverse regions, those with different levels of education, and those varying in years since construction.

“Childhood and adolescence is an extremely important time for human development. If children are frequently exposed to air contaminants, they are much more likely to develop adverse health effects, such as asthma,” said Senator Greenstein (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “Because children spend a majority of their formative years in our public schools, it is imperative for us to ensure that the air they breathe is safe and free of any harmful particles.”

The study called for by S-1033 would identify levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, fine particulate matter, hazardous air pollutants, and any other indoor contaminants. Using this data, the DEP would develop and publish guidance documents for schools to use to take action to reduce the presence or mitigate the effects of indoor air contaminants identified by the study.

The bill was advanced in a 4-0 vote.