Officials say air at La. schools is OK

NEW ORLEANS, March 4 (UPI) -- Louisiana environmental officials say the air at several Louisiana schools linked to possible pollution does not violate health and safety standards.

Tests conducted by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality discounted potential air pollution findings reported in a USA Today article in December, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune said Wednesday.

"Based on the monitoring data from these sites, along with the usual permitting and inspection phases of environmental regulation, DEQ has not seen any signs of toxic hot spots near schools or otherwise," the department offered in a statement.

The USA Today study concluded students at schools in St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. Bernard parishes face significant air pollution.

Among those schools was the Fifth Ward Elementary School in Reserve, La., which is near DuPont Chemical's Pontchartrain Works and was ranked among the U.S. school most threatened by potential exposure to toxic air pollution.

The Times-Picayune said in addition to Tuesday's announcement from the state department, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Monday monitoring air pollution at U.S. schools has become one of its top priorities.