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Toxic Chemicals Replaced in the Environment

Toxic Chemicals Replaced in the Environment
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Hidden Dangers: Toxic Chemicals & PFAs in Schools

Headshots of Brittany Maule, Claire Barnett, Keith Watkins, Daniel Lawson, and Cheryl Welsh

Recent news reports have highlighted the dangers of chemicals like PFAs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), drawing attention to their adverse effects on health. What is equally concerning is that these hazardous chemicals can often be found in our schools, where children spend a substantial portion of their day, potentially exposed to these risks.

Learn more about these hazards and the alternatives available to make our schools safer, healthier environments for students and staff.

Enter your contact information below to watch the replay from our live virtual event!

Event Participants

Our panel is comprised of an expert in green alternatives, an advocate for healthier school policies and processes, and a pioneer in non-toxic cleaning technology. We are also honored to have with us a Facilities Director from a New York school district, who can offer insights into the practical challenges schools face in implementing safer cleaning practices. Additionally, we have a concerned mom and active PTA member who will share her perspective as a parent deeply invested in the safety of our children.

Together, we will explore the dangers posed by toxic cleaning chemicals in our schools and, more importantly, seek viable solutions to create healthier and safer learning environments for our future generations.

Headshot of Brittany Maule

Brittany Maule, Senior Manager of Products and Standards at Green Seal

Brittany serves as the Senior Manager of Products and Standards at Green Seal where she manages the development of science-based, leadership standards for products, services, and spaces that are safer for people and the environment. Drawing on skills in technical research, stakeholder outreach, and science communication, she builds criteria that move products and organizations towards more sustainable choices in product design and operations. Prior to Green Seal, Brittany held roles for the State of Indiana Department of Environmental Management and as a content writer for an environmental blog. Brittany holds a M.S. in Biology and a B.S. in Environmental Biology with additional degrees in Technical Writing and Spanish.

Headshot of Claire Barnett

Claire L. Barnett, MBA, Founder and Executive Director of Healthy Schools Network

Claire L. Barnett, MBA, Founder and Executive Director, grew Healthy Schools Network from its roots in New York into the nation’s premier voice for children’s environmental health at school by advancing a comprehensive policy agenda, fostering state and local environmental health coalitions across the country, and securing landmark reforms in states and federally. A social entrepreneur, she previously reported for TIME Magazine in New York City, administered rural New York health services, and assisted Adirondack Park communities with sustainable development. She shifted her focus to children’s environmental health in the aftermath of her child’s pesticide exposure at school. Barnett has an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (health systems finance) and a BA from Mount Holyoke College (psychology/political science).

In 2017, she was honored to receive three national awards:

  • the William K. Reilly Award for environmental leadership and innovation from American University School of Public Policy
  • the US EPA Indoor Air Quality Champion Recognition
  • the David P. Rall Award for contributions to public health through science-based advocacy from the American Public Health Association at its annual convention in Atlanta.
Headshot of Keith Watkins

Keith W. Watkins, CDF, Director of Facilities III at the City School District of New Rochelle

Keith has 33+ yrs. experience in NYS public schools related facilities management and has earned CDF Accreditation (Certified Director of Facilities 1 of 46 active in NYS) and his Professional Certificate in School Facilities Planning & Management. He is a Past President of NYSSFA (2014-15), Past President of NSPMA (2020-21), 2021 NSPMA Pat Cochrane Award Recipient, 2020 NSPMA Plant Manager of the Year, and is a Past School Board Member (Phoenix CSD). Keith has expertise in “Cleaning for Health”, IAQ, staffing and tasking management, facilities assessments, implementation of products and equipment. He is a proven leader related to all aspects of facilities operations and maintenance.

Headshot of Daniel Lawson

Daniel Lawson, Co-Founder and President of Business Affairs at Viking Pure Solutions

Daniel Lawson spent over a decade in the medical device industry, earning unparalleled insight into the intricacies of our health care environment and some of the biggest needs yet to be addressed. Daniel partnered with Viking Pure’s co-executive team to introduce a disruptive, patent protected, and environmentally-conscious technology to transform cleaning and infection control in commercial facilities across a wide range of industries. He is dedicated to creating a movement to remove TOXIC CHEMICALS from the environment and to challenge the status-quo of what it means to truly clean and disinfect safely, sustainably and effectively.

Headshot of Cheryl Welsh

Cheryl A. Welsh, VP of Fundraising for the Reeceville Elementary School PTA, Cheer and Dance Teacher, Concerned Parent

Cheryl currently serves at her children’s elementary school as the VP of Fundraising for the Reeceville Elementary PTA, in addition to her professional role as an Enterprise Account Executive for a SaaS company. She discovered her passion for people and interest in leadership while attending West Chester University in Pennsylvania, where she became a cheerleader for the Philadelphia Eagles. Once her cheerleading career ended in 2016, she and her husband Dann welcomed twin girls and further expanded their family by rescuing three German shepherds. Today, Cheryl takes an active role in her children’s elementary school PTA and teaches cheerleading and dance. The health and wellbeing of her children and others is extremely important to Cheryl, and she is passionate about finding ways to reduce health hazards and improve safety both at home and at school.

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