Scents in the Classroom and Respiratory Issues?

[squidbilly]

There is a teacher at my school who has approached me with a concern regarding a scented plug-in that another teacher (with whom she shares a room) has put in their classroom and refuses to remove. According to the teacher, the scent is causing her headaches and respiratory irritation (she has hx. asthma). She tells me she is also worried that the scent may trigger our asthmatic students, and headaches or other irritations in others that would decrease their ability to focus. The other teacher refuses to remove the plug-in since he uses the classroom more frequently, and now the teacher who has approached me feels it necessary to bring the issue to the school board. She has asked that I help provide articles to defend her stance. I agree with the concerns she has voiced, although I get the impression the issue over the plug-in is more a reflection of ongoing conflict and stubborness between the two teachers. I would like to remain as uninvolved in this issue as possible, and be sure that if I provide any articles I do so in an unbiased manner. Can my fellow school nurses help me out by directing me towards some reputable information on how this scent might effect my students? I would also love it if you could share any personal experiences with similar situations. Thanks!

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

that's a tough nut to crack - i would think that this would venture into a local ordinance type thing where leaves can't be burned in close proximity to a school during school hours, especially if it's a chronic issue. if it's isolated, then adminstation should probably just step up as needed to assess environmental conditions that may require the children to be indoors from time to time.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I talked with my administrator and he thought initially it would be up to the individual principal to see if this could be addressed in a polite and professional manner. Like, walk over and mention that the smoke is making the kids cough and maybe wait to burn at night.

I also put in a call to our local air resources board. They turfed me to a department where the voice mail was full. I'll try again today.

When we had fires up here - this air resources board would declare it too smoky for outdoor activities and soccer would be canceled. But not often - I remember mentioning on here how terrible the smoke was during some of my son's soccer games and how I wondered if I was the highest medical authority there maybe I should say the games should stop?

People get very defensive if you try to tell them what to do on their own land. But it is against regulations to burn anything wet - it makes more smoke and smolders for a long time.