Dexter Introduces Bill to Shield Students from Toxic Wildfire Smoke

WASHINGTON D.C.—Today, Representative Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-3) introduced the Shielding Students from Wildfire Smoke Act, new legislation aimed at strengthening national understanding and response strategies to protect children’s health during wildfire smoke events.Wildfire smoke contains dangerous pollutants that can trigger asthma, worsen respiratory conditions, and increase the risk of long-term lung damage. Yet Congress has still not provided clear, science-based policies to protect children in schools and childcare centers during or after wildfire smoke events.

“As wildfire smoke continues to blanket our communities, teachers and childcare providers are left without the guidance they need to keep our kids safe,” said Dexter, a critical care and lung doctor. “That starts by collecting the data necessary to inform federal policies on wildfire events. This bill is about protecting our children with science, not guesswork.”

“Wildfire smoke poses a grave threat to the health and safety of our communities — especially our children, whose unique needs and vulnerabilities put them at even greater risk,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “If we want to protect future generations, we must better understand the harm wildfire smoke can inflict on them. This bill makes an important first step towards responding to wildfires and today’s climate crisis.”

“Wildfires and wildfire smoke impacts communities in every corner of our nation—and the harm they cause will only grow as climate change drives temperatures higher and worsens droughts,” Congressman Tonko said. “We need commonsense, sound solutions to protect our kids from the dangers caused by wildfire smoke; this bill does just that. Proud to support this legislation that addresses this threat and protects the health and wellbeing of our students.”

“Millions of families and communities across the country have been forced to breathe air filled with smoke as wildfires burn out of control across the country. It couldn’t be clearer: we desperately need to better understand how smoke impacts children those crucial years of the development of their brains, hearts, and lungs. This bill is an important step towards gathering the information we need to better understand how to protect children when wildfire smoke fills the air—and towards helping policymakers put more robust, evidence-based safeguards in place,” said Elizabeth Bechard, Public Health Manager, Moms Clean Air Force.

“Wildfire smoke poses a serious and growing threat to children’s developing lungs. We need strong safeguards in place to protect kids' health in schools, daycares, summer camps, and sports during and after smoke events. This bill is a critical step in the right direction, and we thank Rep. Dexter for her leadership,” said Carrie Nyssen, Senior Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association.

The legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to contract the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to conduct a comprehensive review of how schools and childcare centers across the country prepare for and respond to wildfire smoke events. The study will guide future federal action to ensure every child is protected from wildfire smoke—no matter their zip code.

Here is a one-page fact sheet. Here is the bill text.  

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