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Children’s Health intro. Tucson UCAB epa r9 Presented by Leana Rosetti (CIC) kathleen stewart Regional Children’s E nvironmental Health C oordinator stewart.kathleen@epa.gov (415) 947-4119. Learning Objectives. Discover why children are more vulnerable - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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TUCSON UCABEPA R9
PRESENTED BY LEANA ROSETTI (CIC)
KATHLEEN STEWARTRegional Children’s
Environmental Health Coordinator
stewart.kathleen@epa.gov (415) 947-4119
CHILDREN’S HEALTH INTRO
Learning Objectives Discover why children are more vulnerable
Learn why we care about the indoor environments children occupy
Identify environmental hazards in homes, child cares, and schools
Identify actions you can take to address these hazards
Identify EPA programs focused on improving children’s health
Find resources for more information
2
Why Focus on Children?
And…childhood diseases are on the rise
Kids are…unique!
Cancer: 2nd leading cause of death in American children
Leukemia and Brain Cancer: Increased 40% from 1975-2008
Testicular Cancer: Increased 35% 1992-2008
Asthma: Doubled since 1980 Leading cause of hospitalizations/absenteeismBirth defects: Leading cause of infant deathPreterm Birth: Increased 27% since 1981Neurodevelopmental Disorders:
Autism: Increased 290% from 1997-2008ADHD: Increased 33% from 1997-2008
Children Are Not “Little Adults”
Developing human beings, starting in the womb and continuing through puberty, are uniquely vulnerable to environmental toxicants.
Body Differences Drink, eat, and breathe more
than adults, as based on body weight
Children are rapidly growing and developing
Less developed natural defenses
More skin per pound and less protective skin
Chemicals in the womb and in breast milk6
DRINKEA
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BREA
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KIDSADULTS
Kids vs Adults (very rough comparisons, adjusted to bodyweight)
• Natural explorers• Spend more time close or on the ground and floors• Spend more time outdoors than adults
• Mouthing behaviors• Place dirty fingers and objects in their mouth• Ingest dirt and dust, which may be contaminated
• Diet• Breastmilk, formula = unique diet• Picky eaters = less varied diet
Behavioral Differences
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Environments Shape Outcomes
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Impacts
Exposures
• Absenteeism• Poor school performance• Family disruption• Lowered lifetime earnings• Increased health care
costs• Asthma• Developmental disorders• Childhood cancers
• Lead• Pesticides• Mercury• Mold• Air pollution
Health Outcome
s
Health DisparitiesAll children are susceptible to negative outcomes as a result of environmental exposures, but they disproportionately affect minorities and children living below the poverty level
Obesity
CancerBrain Disorders
Asthma
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Children from low-income communities are eight times more likely to suffer from lead poisoning compared to moderate and upper income children.
Asthma: Outcomes and Disparities
7 million kids suffer from asthma
2 million emergency room visits annually
13 million missed school days annually
American Indian/Alaska Native children are more likely to suffer from asthma than Caucasian kids10
Brain Disorders: Outcomes and Disparities
Exposure to certain chemicals can lead to ADHD, lowered IQ, autism spectrum disorders, behavioral disorders and/or developmental delays
12 million U.S. children, or 17%, have learning or behavioral disabilities
Chemical exposures play a role in at least 1 in 4 cases of behavioral or developmental disorders
ADHD is more common in children below the poverty level
11
Major Children’s Environmental Health Issues – all EJ issues as well
AsthmaPesticidesLead
PoisoningMercury
Where are kids most vulnerable?
• Children spend 90% of their time indoors• Home• Childcare Facility• School
• Indoor air pollution levels can be 2-5 times greater than outdoor levels
Where could you find these hazards?
Opportunities for Exposure:Pests and Pesticides
Mold and Moisture
Lead and Mercury
Radon, CO, ETS
Chemicals, VOCs14
Major Asthma Triggers
Some pests and pesticides
Mold and moistureDust mitesEnvironmental
tobacco smoke (ETS)Pet dander and pollenHousehold chemicals
15
Pesticides Pesticides are poison and may irritate skin or eyes. Recent studies
have shown an association between pesticide exposure and developmental delays. Some pesticides are believed to interfere with hormone function, and some pesticides are classified as possible or probably carcinogens.
Pesticides include: Bug sprays Rat poison Weed killers Flea and tick treatments Lice shampoo Insect repellants
Pesticide residues can be found on fruits and vegetables and in water
16
LeadLead is a harmful metal typically found in
homes built before 1978
Lead-based paint used in > 38 million homes before it was banned in 1978
Lead can linger in today’s household dust, soil, paint chips, toys, air, and drinking water
Childhood exposure can result in:Learning or behavioral problemsBrain, liver or kidney damageHearing loss17
MercuryMercury is found in some
thermometers, CFL lighting, and some seafood
Seafood consumption is the most common means of human exposure to mercury.
Coal-burning power plants are responsible for the largest amount of mercury air pollution.Mercury air pollution can
contaminate water bodies and some seafood.
18
Other Toxic Chemicals
A child born in America today will grow up exposed to more
chemicals than a child from any other generation
in our history.
A 2005 study found 287 different chemicals in the cord blood of 10 newborn babies – chemicals from
pesticides, fast food packaging,
coal and gasoline emissions, and trash incineration.
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Cleaning Supplies
PCBS
Flame Retardants
Plastics (BPA, Phthalates)
The Good News—Programs to Reduce Exposure
Work!Regulations can make a difference
1973 - Phase-out of lead in gasoline began
1978- lead in house paint banned
2008 – Lead-safe home repairs mandated
20
AsbestosLead/Copper in Drinking
Water
Lead Renovation, Repair, and
Painting
PCB’s in lights and building
caulk
Multimedia Compliance
Clean School Bus
USAEnergy Star
K-12Greenpower Partnerships
Healthy Seat
IAQ Tools for Schools
Integrated Pest
Management
Lead in Drinking
Water (non-regulatory)
Mercury Pollution Prevention
RadonSchool
Chemical Cleanout Campaign
School Resource Efficiency
Smart Growth and
Schools
School Siting
Guidelines
SunwiseSchool Air
Toxic Monitoring Initiative
Tribal Schools
EPA SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Resources: Healthy Schools
24 Page Booklet Information on all
major school environmental health topics
Quick Assessment Checklist
http://www.epa.gov/region8/humanhealth/children/SensibleSteps.pdf
MORE RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS
EPA State School Environmental Health Guidelines: http://www.epa.gov/schools/ehguidelines/index.html
EPA School Siting Guidelines: http://www.epa.gov/schools/siting/
Green Ribbon Schools: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Create children’s health taskforces in your community with
many stakeholders to share resources and improve children’s environments.
Start simple by picking one issue to tackle first, for instance reducing lead exposures in childcares, reducing exposure to wood or coal smoke in homes, or reducing asthma triggers in schools.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCEWhat are you currently doing in your
community to improve children’s health?
What ideas do you have for additional things you can do?
HOW EPA’S CHILDREN’S HEALTH PROGRAM CAN HELP
27
Identify and pull together stakeholder groups
Identify existing training materials that can be modified for your community
Find other resources
Provide technical assistance
What help would you like us to provide?
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