The Smokestack Effect: Toxic Air and America's Schools: USA TODAY used an EPA model to track the path of industrial pollution and mapped the locations of almost 128,000 schools to determine the levels of toxic chemicals outside. The potential problems that emerged were widespread, insidious and largely unaddressed.

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  • Video: Toxic chemicals outside our schools


    USA TODAY examines the impact of industrial pollution outside the nation's schools and explores how toxic chemicals shuttered one elementary school in Addyston, Ohio, three years ago.

  • Schools that ranked worst


    A USA TODAY analysis of EPA data indicated that the air outside these schools had the highest levels of dangerous toxic chemicals, most of which have never been tested for their effects on children.

  • Schools can be hit by chemicals from several industries


    Each refinery, steel mill or factory that emits a significant amount of toxic chemicals must report how much it releases each year to the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA periodically calculates how those chemicals are dispersed through every square kilometer throughout the country.

  • Video: Leading health expert explains how to use information

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    Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, Chairman of the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, talks about what parents and authorities can do with information about toxic chemicals that might be outside their schools.

  • Video: A snapshot of what's in the air


    USA TODAY monitors for chemicals outside almost 100 schools around the nation. Its findings, experts say, should prompt the government to take a harder look.