Air toxics near Sunnyside Elementary in Durango (Colo.) School District are below levels of concern (CO)
Final air toxics monitoring report
released today, school located within boundaries of Southern Ute
Reservation
(Denver, Colo. - May 4, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) today released a final report on air toxics monitoring
at Sunnyside Elementary School, part of the Durango (Colo.) School
District and located within the boundaries of the Southern Ute
Indian Reservation.
In 2009, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Air Quality program
collected monitoring data at Sunnyside School as part of
EPA’s School Air Toxics Monitoring Initiative. EPA’s
analysis of that data found that concentrations of air toxics near
the school are below levels of concern associated with health
problems from short- or long-term exposure. Air toxics measured
included low levels of benzene,1,3-butadiene, and other volatile
organic compounds. Based on the results, EPA will not continue air
toxics monitoring at the school.
EPA selected Sunnyside Elementary School for
monitoring, because it is located near air emissions sources
associated with oil and gas exploration and production activities
in the northern portion of the San Juan Basin.
EPA evaluated samples taken from September 4 to
November 9, 2009 to determine if air toxics concentrations near the
school presented any health concerns associated with short- and
long-term exposures. To keep the community informed, EPA posted air
sample results on its website throughout the monitoring
period.
The School Air Toxics Monitoring Initiative
monitored outdoor air at 63 schools in 22 states to help EPA and
state/tribal agencies understand whether long-term exposures to air
toxics pose health concerns for children and staff at the schools.
Sunnyside Elementary School was the only school in Colorado
monitored as part of the initiative.
EPA remains concerned about air toxics emissions
from industrial and mobile sources and
continues working to reduce those emissions across the country,
through national rules and by providing information and suggestions
to assist with reductions in local areas.
Information about EPA’s air monitoring initiative can be
found at: http://www.epa.gov/schoolair. A link to the Sunnyside School report can be found
at the bottom of the school list page: http://www.epa.gov/schoolair/schools.html