House Bill 1293 (Hazards Near Schools)

Many children in Colorado are at elevated risk for lung damage,
asthma, and breathing ailments due to their schools being located
near busy roads.  Currently, there is no state law that requires a
health study prior to roads being built next to schools or schools
next to highways.

Peer-reviewed scientific research provides conclusive evidence that
air pollution from highways causes severe and adverse effects on
children’s health, and can result in critical deficits in attained lung
function Gauderman, 2007 If their school is located within 500 yards
of a busy road, (50,000+ vehicles per day), the children attending
the school are at risk for major health issues.  

  • Children are especially vulnerable to many of the air
    pollutants, since their lungs are still developing until they
    reach the age of eighteen.  
  • Engine exhaust emissions include more than 30 toxic air
    pollutants that include known human carcinogens, suspected
    carcinogens, asthma initiators, neuro-toxins, and immune
    system suppressants.
  • Only three primary tailpipe pollutants are limited by federal air
    quality standards.



    
HB 1293 a prospective planning bill, will prevent future generations
of Colorado children from being put in this dangerous situation by:

  • Requiring the Colorado State Board of Health to identify
    sources of hazardous pollutants before a Board of Education
    acquires land for a new school.
  • Encouraging the Colorado Department of Transportation
    (CDOT) to realign highways outside a 500 yard buffer zone
    around schools.
  • Mandating the Colorado Department of Transportation
    (CDOT) to check with the Colorado State Board of Health to
    identify the effects of hazardous traffic pollutants on children
    before constructing a road within 500 yards of a school.

House Bill 1293 Fact Sheet

The Colorado PTA , Mitchell PTA, American Cancer Society,
Environment Colorado, Bob Yuhnke (air quality expert) and parents
are all supporting this issue and testified on behalf of the bill.  We
want to ensure that kids at Mitchell Elementary and other Colorado
schools (Swansea, Carlson, Elk Creek, Silverthorne, Madison) won't
be affected by air pollution from proposed road expansions.


Let’s take the time to support our children’s health!!!
House Bill 1293
    Contact your representatives and voice your   
support of HB1293.
The vote on this important bill will occur
Thursday, April 12th, 2007 @ 7:30 am.
House Appropriations Committee, State Capitol

Tell them to vote “YES” on HB 1293
“YES” for children’s health