Alabama school cleans up the air with filters

摘要

In terms of air quality, Jefferson County had among the highest number of "unhealthy days" of any county in the state of Alabama in 2007. Residents also experienced the state's highest concentrations of air pollutants associated with asthma and other lung diseases, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA said that these results are particularly harmful for older adults and children. Bill Cleveland, superintendent of Homewood City Schools, made it a mission to improve air quality for children and staff throughout the school district. His goal was to reduce absenteeism due to respiratory illnesses and asthma, and do it without adding to the district's budget deficit.