Mold, toxic air, poor ventilation systems—these are hidden risks to children’s health that CEA is asking legislators to address as part of our What You Don’t See campaign. Educators, students, and families are speaking out on the issue—and legislators are joining them. You can, too.
State Representative Jonathan Steinberg has been advocating for several years for improvements to ensure all Connecticut schools have healthy, well-ventilated classrooms. Representing Westport, which has had a serious mold problem in one of its schools, Steinberg understands the health risks facing students and teachers. As chair of the legislature’s Public Health Committee, he has made the issue a top priority and has voiced his support of CEA’s campaign.
“The pandemic brought the issue to a whole new level that should be addressed this session,” he says. “It’s our responsibility to make sure that students have a safe learning environment and teachers have a safe teaching environment.”
Representative Robin Comey is also voicing her support. “Our kids need healthy, safe, well ventilated classrooms,” she says, urging investments to improve indoor air quality in schools.
Tomorrow the legislature’s Labor Committee will hear testimony on SB 423, which would establish mandatory ranges for school indoor temperature and humidity and provide bond funding for remediation and installation of modern HVAC systems.
Legislators need to hear directly from educators about why the proposals in this bill are so necessary. Tell them what they don’t see, and how you and your students are impacted by poor indoor air quality in our schools.
Click to learn more, and use our system to easily submit testimony.
Watch what the legislators have to say below, and find out more about the What You Don’t See campaign.
