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Environmental Health  In Childcare Facilities

Prepared by: Joseph T. Ponessa, Ph.DRutgers Cooperative Extension

Copyright 2001 Rutgers Cooperative Extension

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ObjectivesWhy be concerned?

Compared to adults- Kids are more

sensitive to pollutants

Per body weight, kids eat, breathe more

Toxins can disrupt important developmental steps

Today’s goals: Discuss pollutants:

Sources; Testing; Health effects Easy ways to fix

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Tobacco Smoke Don’t smoke Take it outside Never smoke

around kids

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Combustion Products What are

combustion products?

Stove: - Don’t use stove as a heater !

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Combustion products(Cont’d) Furnace Service yearly,

Use CO Detector

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Combustion Products,Space Heaters –Fuel Fired

Burn hazard Fire hazard Pollution hazard SUMMARY: Use smoke, CO

Detector Check furnace yearly Use stove properly Avoid space heaters

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Lead Poisoning

Sources: Old paint Contaminated

outdoor soils Many other

sources

Health Effects:High doses; Organ damage Convulsions, deathLow doses; Delayed

development Learning disorders

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Lead, Old Paint Indoors

Fix peeling paint- Do not dry scrape or dry sand!

Use damp method to mop, dust. Wash kids’ hands!

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 Lead, Old Paint- Outdoors

Cover bare soil (grass)

Use doormat

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Asthma What is asthma?

Learn signs of attack. Follow parent’s instructions

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Strained Breathing In Asthma

Symptoms: Wheezing Coughing Prominent

neck muscles

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Some Asthma Triggers Dust Dust mites Roaches Animal dander

(Pets – dogs, cats, gerbils)

Animal waste (rodents)

Particles (smoke) Mold Exercise Excitement,

emotions Heat, cold Flu, colds

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Asthma AttacksWhat to Do

For mild attacks: Provide

medication (Bronchodilators) according to parent/doctor instructions

For severe attacks: Breathing hard, fast Nose opens wide Neck muscles show Fingernails gray, blue Medicine doesn’t help

CALL 911 Get help right away!

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Mold: Caused by

moisture problems. Solve these. Kill mold with

dilute bleach. Large areas may

cause serious health problems. Get professional help.

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Cleaning Products Read labels, follow

directions. Don’t use more than

necessary. Clean when kids

are not present Don’t overuse disinfectants

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Pesticides Read labels, follow

directions. Don’t use more

than necessary. Think about other

ways to control pests. (Integrated Pest Management- IPM)

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Radon Do radon test Fix high levels

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Creating a Healthy Environment for your Family

Joseph T.Ponessa, Ph.D.Rutgers Cooperative Extension