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Children's Health Protection News and Events
Choose from the topics below to find the latest news about children's environmental health:
- Recent Product Recalls
- Recent Speeches
- General Children's Environmental Health News
- Children's Environmental Health News Where You Live
- Disaster-Related Environmental Health News
- News Archive
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
Recent Product Recalls
Below are the 10 most recent children's environmental health-related product recalls from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other sources:
- Horse Toy Figures Recalled by Blip Toys
- “Big Rex and Friends” Cloth Books Recalled by St. Martin’s Press
- Jide Trading Recalls Toy Military Figures
- Wooden Toys Recalled by Kendamaspot
- Timberland Recalls Children’s Boots
- Variety Wholesalers Recalls Toy Trucks
- Team Work Trading Expands Recall of Children's Metal Pendants
- MacPherson's Recalls Children's Art Easels
- Daiso Recalls Children's Toys, Purses and Pen Cases
- Bosch Thermotechnology Corp. Recalls Gas Boilers
View additional product recalls from the CPSC or find information on the danger of metals used in children’s jewelry.
Speeches
- April 24, 2009: Keynote Speech on Children's Environmental Health (EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson to the G8 Environment Ministers)
- February 26, 2009: Remarks to EPA (First Lady Michelle Obama to EPA Employees)
General Children's Environmental Health News
- In 2007, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded over $500,000 in federal grant funds to five state and non-profit organizations in Ohio, Michigan, Oregon, Florida, and Texas to provide educational opportunities for health care providers and women of child-bearing age about important environmental health risks. The grants focused on environmental health issues that include exposure to mercury, lead, environmental tobacco smoke, chemicals, pesticides, drinking water contaminants, and indoor and outdoor air contaminants. Two of the five grantees, the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan and the Ohio Department of Health, have completed their projects and have issued their final reports. The remaining grantees will complete their projects in the spring and early next year. Learn more about these projects and view the final reports for Michigan and Ohio.
- The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued new advice for
parents concerning the high levels of lead and other metals that are found in
children’s jewelry. Read the CPSC Chairman’s statement.
- EPA has released a user-friendly document to help risk assessors understand
how children are exposed to pollution. The document, "Highlights of the
Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook," is a quick-reference guide to the
more comprehensive "Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook," published by EPA
in 2008. Read the press release or review the
new document.
- As part of a settlement for clean air violations, school bus operator First Student will commit to reduce idling from its nationwide fleet of 50,000 school buses. This nationwide effort will reduce school children's exposure to diesel pollution and help clean the nation's air. Learn more about diesel exhaust and anti-idling guidelines.
- EPA has launched a new Web page containing information on the effectiveness of skin-applied insect repellents that will help Americans select the right product for their needs and protect themselves and their children from potentially devastating diseases spread by mosquitoes and ticks, such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease. Learn about the effectiveness of insect repellents.
- K-8 students can help raise awareness about sun safety and win prizes by
entering the 2010 SunWise with SHADE contest. The annual contest is a joint
effort by the SHADE Foundation of America, Weather-Bug Schools and EPA to teach
children ways to protect their skin and eyes from excessive sun exposure. The
contest due date is April 7, 2010. Learn more about
the contest
. - EPA invites the public to submit creative videos for a Lead Poisoning Prevention Video Contest. The contest is being jointly sponsored by EPA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Learn more about the contest.
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released guidance on day and residential camps in response to human infections with the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) virus. CDC recommends the primary means to reduce spread of influenza in camps focus on early identification of ill campers and staff, staying home when ill, good cough and hand hygiene etiquette, and environmental controls that encourage use of these hygiene practices. Review the guidance.
- EPA’s new Water Quality Video Contest is looking for videos that will educate the public about problems facing our nation's waters and will inspire people to change behavior to improve and protect our water resources. Entries are due on Earth Day, April 22, 2009.
- On February 26, 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama visited EPA. View a video of her remarks.
- In February 2009, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry developed a report entitled, "Children's Exposure to Elemental Mercury: A National Review of Exposure Events." The report identifies the common sources of elemental mercury exposure in children and describes the location, demographics, and proportion of children exposed or potentially exposed to elemental mercury in the United States.
- To honor Rachel Carson, the EPA, Generations United, and the Rachel Carson Council, Inc., are sponsoring the Second Annual Rachel Carson Intergenerational photo, essay, and poetry contest "that best expresses the Sense of Wonder that you feel for the sea, the night sky, forests, birds, wildlife, and all that is beautiful to your eyes." Learn more about the contest.
- The Endocrine Disruption Exchange launched
Critical Windows of Development , in February 2009. The Web site plots on bar graphs fetal
development against studies that show the hormone, or endocrine, disrupting
effects of bisphenol-A, phthalates, and dioxin in rats and mice.
- Students in kindergarten through eighth grade are encouraged to participate
in the annual SunWise with SHADE Poster Contest for great state and national
prizes. Entries are due on April 13, 2009, and should be original, creative,
show ways to prevent skin cancer, raise sun safety awareness and be attached to
an official entry form. Learn more about the
poster contest.
- In response to many inquiries on the topic, the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units developed a melamine factsheet (PDF) (4pp, 122K) for clinicians and other health professionals.
- Maryland has just released The Maryland Children's Environmental Health
Report, their first statewide assessment of children's environmental
health. This report provides a comprehensive look at the relationship
between the state’s environment and the health of its children. Governor
O'Malley stated that the "report (will) better help us understand and
develop solutions to the adverse impact the environment has on
children's health." The report will support the cataloging and
presentation of data on children’s environmental health that can be used
by the public and policy makers to set priorities and measure progress.
Maryland is taking steps to implement the recommendations in the
report. The Maryland report was modeled after EPA's national-scale
report, America's Children and the Environment. This enabled Maryland
to make comparison with National level indicators. EPA provided
technical support and expert review for the Maryland report. The full
report is available under “DHMH Reports” at: www.dhmh.state.md.us
- Grants totaling nearly $1 million
have been awarded for projects that use Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
approaches to reduce pesticide risk. The grants will support the
demonstration of innovative IPM practices, technologies, outreach and
education. IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach
to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense
practices. In selecting grant awards, EPA emphasized projects that
address:
- alternatives to soil fumigants and azinphos methyl, a pesticide used on orchard fruit, nuts and other crops
- IPM strategies for watersheds with pesticides in surface waters
- IPM in schools, daycare, and hospitals
- adoption of biopesticides or reduced-risk pesticides
- methods for measuring IPM adoption or the reduction of risks associated with pesticide 1 use
- business cases for implementing IPM
- To honor Child Health Day, OCHPEE launched a campaign to educate middle and high school students about climate change, its effects on children's health, and actions teens can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and become Climate Ambassadors in their communities. View the Climate for Action Web site or review the EPA news release.
- The International Network on Children's Health, Environment and Safety (INCHES) has organized a film competition as part of its 10th Anniversary. It's a one time event and will be held during the months of September 2008 until September 2009. The competition, called "Focus on Children in a Healthy Environment" and centered on the themes "Climate" and "Environmental Health" will run until September 1, 2009 and is open to all nationalities and ages. A Grand Prize will be awarded to the winners of the different categories. There are also separate cash prizes for films up to 5 minutes of duration and up to 15 minutes. View the rules and regulations for the competition (PDF) (4 pp, 44K).
- The Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3) has developed a 9-minute Green Scene webcast that examines the critical need for responsible chemical management in K-12 schools from the chemistry lab to the custodial closet. It encourages schools and community partners to protect students and school staff by taking steps to prevent accidents involving outdated, unknown, and unneeded chemicals. Visit the Green Scene Web site to view the SC3 webcast.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Update on Dental Amalgams: According to the FDA, "Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetus. Pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure, including individuals with existing high levels of mercury bioburden, should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner." Learn more about FDA’s revised consumer guidance on amalgams.
Disaster-Related Environmental Health News
Wildfire-Related Environmental Health News:
- October 2007 California Wildfire Information
- Health Risks of Wild Fires for Children - Acute Phase (PDF) (6 pp, 275K) from the University of California Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit
Hurricane Katrina-Related Environmental Health News:
- Questions and answers about children’s health and hurricane and flood disasters (from EPA)
- EPA is urging residents returning to hurricane-affected areas especially to protect children from hazards left behind by storms. Information for parents and caregivers is available on a variety topics, for example, safe water, asthma, contaminated toys, and others. View a news release and questions and answers about protecting children's health after hurricanes and flood disasters.
- EPA
has developed informational
flyers on possible environmental
and
health
issues
-
including
carbon monoxide
poisoning,
mold, and
drinking
water - for
residents
returning to
hurricane
impacted
areas.
View the
informational
flyers.
- On October 7, 2005, the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units and the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a joint statement detailing clinician recommendations regarding the return of children to areas impacted by flooding and or hurricanes. The recommendations also apply to pregnant women.
- Health professionals
can contact Pediatric Environmental Health
Specialty
Units (PEHSUs),
a
national
network of clinics,
for
free
clinical
advice
by
phone
about potential
pediatric
environmental
health
concerns
affecting
both
the
child and
the
family.
To
learn
more,
visit: http://www.aoec.org/PEHSU.htm
.
- Cleanup activities related to returning to homes and businesses after Hurricane Katrina can pose significant health and environmental challenges. People may be exposed to potentially life-threatening hazards posed by leaking natural gas lines, and carbon monoxide poisoning from using un-vented fuel-burning equipment indoors. During a flood cleanup, failure to remove contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity may present serious long-term health risks from micro-organisms, such as bacteria and mold. View EPA’s September 14, 2005 news release regarding precautions you can take to protect yourself and your children from potential environmental hazards resulting from flooding.
- On
September
13,
2005,
the
U.S.
Consumer
Product
Safety
Commission
warned
of
new
dangers among
Gulf
Coast
victims
of
Hurricane Katrina from
deadly CO
poisonings.
Read important new safety tips for
residents able
to return home
after the
hurricane
.
- On September 11, 2005, EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality posted data from New Orleans flood water chemical samples collected from six locations on September 3. Chemical results indicate that the concentration of lead exceeded EPA drinking water action levels. These levels are of a concern if a child ingests large amounts of the flood water. Based on the chemical analyses and the presence of high levels of E. coli, EPA and CDC provided health guidance on September 7 to avoid human contact with the flood water when possible. EPA in coordination with federal, state and local agencies will continue to release data as it becomes available. View the test results or visit EPA’s Hurricane Katrina response Web page at www.epa.gov/katrina.
- The National
Library of Medicine has
compiled a
new
Hurricane Katrina
Web
page
on toxic
chemical
and
environmental health information
resources for health workers
and
the interested
public.
Links are
provided
to
information
on chemicals
that
may be
released
as
a result
of the
Katrina
disaster and
on environmental health concerns following the wind and
flood
damage.