Children spend a bit under seven hours a day in school nationwide, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. That’s a lot of time reading, writing – and breathing what could be toxic air.
Spurred into action by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education’s $122-billion Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund set aside monies to improve air quality in schools in the 2021-2020 academic year. Upgrading ventilation, installing carbon monoxide monitors, and bringing in fresh air as much as possible were some of the measures schools could use the funds for to clear the air. (Here are 20 tips to improve the air quality in your home.)
Yet several schools across the nation continued to register poor air quality not just because of a contagious virus, but due to airborne toxins as well.
To identify the schools across the country that have the highest concentrations of toxic air hazards, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the average toxic air hazard data in the report, “The 50 Schools in America With the Most Toxic Air,” by playground supplier AAA State of Play.
The report used PERI Toxic Hazard Scores, calculated by the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The analysis includes only currently operational regular public schools for pre-K-12 and does not cover charter, alternative, private, or adult education institutions. The scores are based on the concentration of air toxins in each 810-by-810-meter (2,657-by-2,657-foot) grid cell within 50 kilometers (31 miles) of each facility, scaled to take into account the toxicity weight of each chemical. According to the report, all of the chemicals are hazardous, but their toxicities vary greatly. (Population data came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey.)
According to the report, the average toxic hazard score reached 4,512 nationwide. But some schools went above that mark – and by a wide margin.
The “lowest” toxic air hazard score – the comparative best of the worst – was found at Nelson-Wilks-Herron Elementary School in Mountain Home, Arkansas. There, the toxin level reached an alarming 356,289, with ethylene oxide exceeding all other chemicals. A flammable gas with a sweet odor, ethylene oxide – used in the production of ethylene glycol, a compound found in antifreeze and polyester – can cause headaches, nausea, difficulty breathing, and general weakness.
As concerning as that level of toxicity is, it’s well below that of the worst scoring school on this list – Verona Elementary and High Schools in Verona, Missouri, where the level was almost 3 million. Ethylene oxide accounted for the biggest portion of the toxins there, too. (For reasons beyond air toxicity, here’s a list of the worst school district in every state.)
Click here to see the 50 U.S. schools with the most toxic air
Texas accounts for the most schools on the list – 17 – with the state’s with the poorest air quality measured at Van Buren Elementary School in Groves, part of the Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area. Its toxic air hazard score hit 1.5 million, with ethylene oxide again topping all other chemical agents.
50. Nelson-Wilks-Herron Elementary
> Location: Mountain Home, AR
> Population: 12,463
> School’s toxic air hazard: 356,289
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
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Source: Art Wager / iStock via Getty Images
49. Heritage Elementary School
> Location: Deer Park, TX
> Population: 33,599
> School’s toxic air hazard: 357,446
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
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48. Pleasant View Elementary School
> Location: Red Lion, PA
> Population: 6,334
> School’s toxic air hazard: 361,584
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
Source: Marti157900 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
47. Two Dimensions at Corsicana Elementary School
> Location: Corsicana, TX
> Population: 23,736
> School’s toxic air hazard: 365,811
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Nickel compounds
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Source: US Navy / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
46. Stratford High
> Location: Goose Creek, SC
> Population: 42,944
> School’s toxic air hazard: 367,660
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
45. Northwood Middle School
> Location: Elyria, OH
> Population: 53,844
> School’s toxic air hazard: 368,691
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium compounds
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Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
44. De Zavala Elementary School
> Location: Channelview, TX
> Population: 43,378
> School’s toxic air hazard: 370,001
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
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Source: mccluremr / iStock via Getty Images
43. Port Neches Elementary and Middle Schools
> Location: Port Neches, TX
> Population: 12,729
> School’s toxic air hazard: 385,976
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
42. Carter G. Woodson Middle School
> Location: Hopewell, VA
> Population: 22,500
> School’s toxic air hazard: 391,877
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
41. Charles Page High School
> Location: Sand Springs, OK
> Population: 19,912
> School’s toxic air hazard: 407,532
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
40. High Bridge Elementary and Middle Schools
> Location: High Bridge, NJ
> Population: 3,460
> School’s toxic air hazard: 410,699
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
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Source: LUNAMARINA / iStock via Getty Images
39. Crenshaw Elementary
> Location: Channelview, TX
> Population: 43,378
> School’s toxic air hazard: 414,966
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
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Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
38. Russell Hawkins Jr. High School
> Location: Jackson, MO
> Population: 14,893
> School’s toxic air hazard: 423,958
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
37. Orchard Drive Elementary School
> Location: Jackson, MO
> Population: 14,893
> School’s toxic air hazard: 423,958
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
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Source: GJGK Photography / iStock via Getty Images
36. Seguin Elementary School
> Location: Houston, TX
> Population: 2,313,238
> School’s toxic air hazard: 424,597
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium compounds
Source: Tyler Tomasek / iStock via Getty Images
35. Elyria High School
> Location: Elyria, OH
> Population: 53,844
> School’s toxic air hazard: 428,924
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium compounds
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
34. Miami Unified District Schools
> Location: Miami, Arizona
> Population: 1,919
> School’s toxic air hazard: 445,352
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Arsenic compounds
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Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
33. Evans Elementary School
> Location: Memphis, TN
> Population: 650,910
> School’s toxic air hazard: 463,549
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
32. Wooddale High School
> Location: Memphis, TN
> Population: 650,910
> School’s toxic air hazard: 474,253
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
31. Knight Road Elementary School
> Location: Memphis, TN
> Population: 650,910
> School’s toxic air hazard: 481,607
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
Source: benedek / iStock via Getty Images
30. Wooddale Middle School
> Location: Memphis, TN
> Population: 650,910
> School’s toxic air hazard: 492,751
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
29. Hauton B. Lee Middle School
> Location: Portland, OR
> Population: 650,380
> School’s toxic air hazard: 493,891
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium compounds
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Source: JT Crawford / iStock via Getty Images
28. Paducah Head Start Preschool
> Location: Paducah, KY
> Population: 24,947
> School’s toxic air hazard: 494,388
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
27. Port Neches-Groves High School
> Location: Port Neches, TX
> Population: 12,729
> School’s toxic air hazard: 515,876
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
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26. Sallie Cone Preschool
> Location: Conway, AR
> Population: 66,776
> School’s toxic air hazard: 522,390
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
25. Fairview Elementary School
> Location: Fairview, OR
> Population: 9,382
> School’s toxic air hazard: 524,336
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium compounds
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Source: fstop123 / iStock via Getty Images
24. Groves Elementary School
> Location: Groves, TX
> Population: 15,531
> School’s toxic air hazard: 534,053
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
Source: S.C. Shank / iStock via Getty Images
23. George C. Weimer Elementary School
> Location: St. Albans, WV
> Population: 10,078
> School’s toxic air hazard: 542,358
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
22. James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus
> Location: La Porte, TX
> Population: 35,340
> School’s toxic air hazard: 546,615
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
21. West Groves Early Learning Center
> Location: Groves, TX
> Population: 15,531
> School’s toxic air hazard: 552,461
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
Source: Mshake / iStock via Getty Images
20. Ely Elementary School
> Location: Elyria, OH
> Population: 53,844
> School’s toxic air hazard: 557,857
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium compounds
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Source: TrongNguyen / iStock via Getty Images
19. Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary
> Location: La Porte, TX
> Population: 35,340
> School’s toxic air hazard: 656,243
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
18. Sandusky Middle School
> Location: Sandusky, OH
> Population: 24,651
> School’s toxic air hazard: 712,958
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium compounds
Source: Danielrao / iStock via Getty Images
17. Alexander Elementary and Slater High Schools
> Location: Slater, MO
> Population: 2,103
> School’s toxic air hazard: 733,195
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: nickel
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16. Upper Perkiomen 4th and 5th Grade Center
> Location: East Greenville, PA
> Population: 2,945
> School’s toxic air hazard: 734,298
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium compounds
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
15. South Charleston Middle School
> Location: South Charleston, WV
> Population: 12,461
> School’s toxic air hazard: 779,593
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
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14. Jennie Reid Elementary School
> Location: La Porte, TX
> Population: 35,340
> School’s toxic air hazard: 787,173
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
13. John H. Kirby Elementary School
> Location: Silsbee, TX
> Population: 6,642
> School’s toxic air hazard: 846,006
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
Source: Judy Darby / iStock via Getty Images
12. Madisonville Junior High School
> Location: Madisonville, LA
> Population: 1,263
> School’s toxic air hazard: 946,384
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
11. Lee Elementary School
> Location: Houston, TX
> Population: 2,313,238
> School’s toxic air hazard: 955,062
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
10. Julia Bird Jones Muller Elementary School
> Location: Laredo, TX
> Population: 260,571
> School’s toxic air hazard: 1,028,692
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
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Source: traveler1116 / iStock via Getty Images
9. Freedom High School
> Location: Morganton, NC
> Population: 16,517
> School’s toxic air hazard: 1,072,440
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Polycyclic aromatic compounds
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
8. Warren East Middle and High Schools
> Location: Bowling Green, KY
> Population: 71,628
> School’s toxic air hazard: 1,076,027
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
Source: jbentley09 / iStock via Getty Images
7. Wilkes Elementary School
> Location: Portland, OR
> Population: 650,380
> School’s toxic air hazard: 1,183,849
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium compounds
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6. Fifth Ward Elementary School
> Location: Reserve, LA
> Population: 8,506
> School’s toxic air hazard: 1,213,815
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chloroprene
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
5. Memphis School of Excellence
> Location: Memphis, TN
> Population: 650,910
> School’s toxic air hazard: 1,242,657
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
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4. Groves Middle School
> Location: Groves, TX
> Population: 15,531
> School’s toxic air hazard: 1,549,751
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
3. Van Buren Elementary School
> Location: Groves, TX
> Population: 15,531
> School’s toxic air hazard: 1,549,751
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
2. Cromwell Elementary School
> Location: Memphis, TN
> Population: 650,910
> School’s toxic air hazard: 1,637,292
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Chromium
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1. Verona Elementary and High Schools
> Location: Verona, MO
> Population: 691
> School’s toxic air hazard: 2,998,404
> School’s biggest toxic hazard: Ethylene oxide
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