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

T

BREA

THE

012345678

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

7

Environments Shape Outcomes

8

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

9

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.

19

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 Childcares

22

epa.gov/childcare

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?