Reader comments
Schools getting new guidelines on air quality

I hope with these new guidelines that students are given the opportunity for physical exertion indoors when the air quality is too poor to go outside. A growing number of young people are overweight or obese and I think it's important that they are given the opportunity for physical activity everyday.

That was one of the considerations in this decision: To prevent healthy kids from being kept inside when there is no real risk to their playing outside.

Pollution levels in general have fallen since I was a kid. With these new guidelines requiring all the kids to stay inside will become a rare event.

They don't tell you that the air outside IS the air INSIDE. They just pump it through the school without a filter. At least they can get out of having to run around. Maybe they can buy XBOX's for them to play on, just like at home.

When 24hr PM2.5 is over 35 micrograms/cubice meter, it is over the EPA standard, where people with existing heart or respiratory ailments should stay inside. It is odd to see kids can still go out at this level.