Pollution and Playtime

None by KCPW

Utah Health Officials Study Air Quality in Schools

(KCPW News) When the air quality is really bad, Utah school officials keep kids indoors. But what about the majority of days when the air is just so-so? How much harm does it do to let kids run, jump and play outdoors in those conditions?

"We know that high air pollution levels cause health problems," says Doctor Ed Redd, deputy director of the Bear River Health Department. "The question is whether keeping kids indoor when pollution levels are high is good policy. That's the question."

The Bear River Health Department will spearhead data collection for a new study sponsored by state and local health agencies. The lung capacity of one-hundred students at Greenville Elementary in Cache Valley will be tested daily and then correlated with the indoor and outdoor air quality at their school.

Children with asthma are of particular concern when air quality is poor. Doctor Redd says the study should give school officials new guidelines when faced with canceling recess because of poor air quality.

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