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Tucson UCAB epa r9 Presented by Leana Rosetti (CIC)

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

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Tucson UCAB epa r9 Presented by Leana Rosetti (CIC)

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  1. Children’s Health intro Tucson UCAB epa r9Presented by LeanaRosetti (CIC) kathleenstewartRegional Children’s Environmental Health Coordinator stewart.kathleen@epa.gov (415) 947-4119

  2. 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

  3. Why Focus on Children? And…childhood diseases are on the rise Kids are…unique!

  4. Cancer: 2nd leading cause of death in American children • Leukemia andBrain Cancer: • Increased 40% from 1975-2008 • Testicular Cancer: Increased 35% 1992-2008 • Asthma: Doubled since 1980 • Leading cause of hospitalizations/absenteeism • Birth defects: Leading cause of infant death • Preterm Birth: Increased 27% since 1981 • Neurodevelopmental Disorders: • Autism:Increased 290% from 1997-2008 • ADHD:Increased 33% from 1997-2008

  5. Children Are Not “Little Adults” Developing human beings, starting in the womb and continuing through puberty, are uniquely vulnerable to environmental toxicants.

  6. 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 milk Kidsvs Adults (very rough comparisons, adjusted to bodyweight)

  7. Behavioral Differences • 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

  8. Environments Shape Outcomes • Health Outcomes

  9. Health Disparities All children are susceptible to negative outcomes as a result of environmental exposures, but they disproportionately affect minorities and children living below the poverty level • Children from low-income communities are eight times more likely to suffer from lead poisoning compared to moderate and upper income children. Asthma Brain Disorders Obesity Cancer

  10. 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 kids

  11. 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

  12. Major Children’s Environmental Health Issues – all EJ issues as well • Asthma • Pesticides • Lead Poisoning • Mercury

  13. 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

  14. Pests and Pesticides Mold and Moisture • Lead and Mercury • Radon, CO, ETS • Chemicals, VOCs Opportunities for Exposure: Where could you find these hazards?

  15. Major Asthma Triggers • Some pests and pesticides • Mold and moisture • Dust mites • Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) • Pet dander and pollen • Household chemicals

  16. Pesticides • Pesticides are poison and mayirritate 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

  17. Lead • Lead 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 problems • Brain, liver or kidney damage • Hearing loss

  18. Mercury • Mercury 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.

  19. Cleaning Supplies Other Toxic Chemicals Plastics (BPA, Phthalates) • 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. Flame Retardants PCBS

  20. 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

  21. EPA SCHOOL PROGRAMS

  22. Resources: Healthy Childcares epa.gov/childcare

  23. 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

  24. 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

  25. 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.

  26. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE • What are you currently doing in your community to improve children’s health? • What ideas do you have for additional things you can do?

  27. HOW EPA’S CHILDREN’S HEALTH PROGRAM CAN HELP • 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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