CRABBY KATHY
The 1998-99 KMAC Kids, (Kids Making A Connection, Health and the Environment) used what they learned in the ToxRAP curriculum to help Kathy, a Title I teacher, who experienced ill health when she taught her classes in our schools library.
Kathy had red itchy eyes. She experienced sinus pain and swelling. She had a sore throat and a stuffy nose. She would sneeze and cough. She would get a headacheand she was really CRABBY!
During the weekends Kathy felt fine. When the KMAC Kids asked her to teach in another classroom for three days, she didn't have any of the symptoms.
The KMAC Kids went sleuthing in the library. They discovered a number of possible hazards including "stinky" felt pens, a copy machine near her desk, parents wearing perfume, dust (that means mites), chemical cleaners, a filter needed to be changed, a smell from the carpet and more. The class gave Kathy a basket of non-toxic products and they raised money through two bake sales to buy her an air filter for her library space. IT WORKED! Kathy's symptoms went away and she isn't "Crabby" anymore!
The KMAC Kids worked with Mr. Sweet's 6th graders and illustrated a book called "CRABBY KATHY!" Their science fair project "What's in the Air Crabby Kathy?" won first place at the all city science fair and they were recognized with a gift certificate for one of the best environmental projects. They used their $50.00 Barnes and Noble gift certificate to buy books for parents about environmental health. The books were placed in the library in memory of Maureen Dryden, a parent who passed away from breast cancer.
The KMAC Kids requested a Service Learning Mini Grant. Their grant was accepted! They will use the mini grant to make copies of "CRABBY KATHY" to share with other 3rd grade classes in Chico. A part of the mini grant included students from Chico Senior High School. With the help of their instructor, they are making our book into a CD ROM. The University of Arizona (Health Science Center, Community Outreach and Education), liked the publication so much, they are using it at teacher training workshops and they have offered to make additional copies for us.
The KMAC Kids are hopeful that their "joyful" sharing will help others understand how the air we breathe affects how we feel, learn and live!
P.S. We think Kathy's health problems may have been caused by the "synergistic" effect of all the hazards (that means that when you mix all the hazards together you get a more serious exposure). But probably most of Kathy's symptoms were caused from poor air circulation and out-gassing from the carpet (that means the gasses given off by the formaldehyde in the carpet and the glue used to put down the carpet). We will look for funding to measure the levels of formaldehyde in the carpet.