Children's Health Protection News Archive by Date

The National Council for Science and the Environment’s Focus the Nation initiative is organizing a national teach-in on global warming solutions for America—creating a dialogue at over a thousand schools, places of worship, civic organizations and businesses, and engaging millions of students and citizens with the nation’s decision-makers. Focus the Nation will culminate January 31, 2008 in educational symposia held across the country. Learn more about Focus the Nation, its national webcast, new books on global warming, and more .
EPA has designated January as National Radon Action Month to increase awareness about the dangers of inhaling radon gas. The invisible fumes seep into homes through foundation cracks and can reach harmful levels if trapped indoors. Breathing radon causes nearly 100 times more deaths each year than carbon monoxide poisoning and accounts for the second leading source of lung cancer. EPA hopes to save 12,000 lives in the next five years through radon preventative action. Learn more about radon and how you can mitigate its harmful effects.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is planning to develop a program called the “Partnerships for Environmental Public Health” (PEPH). The program will support a variety of research, outreach and education activities to prevent, reduce, or eliminate environmental exposures that may lead to adverse health outcomes in communities, with the active engagement of those communities in all stages of the work. To establish a vision for the PEPH Program, the NIEHS is seeking input from the public, environmental health researchers, healthcare professionals, educators, policy makers and others with a vested interest in the effects of environmental exposures on public health through a Request for Information (RFI).
Green Seal, Inc. is in the process of revising GS-37, the Environmental Standard for Industrial and Institutional Cleaners and seeks public review and input on the proposed revisions. The revision aims to bring the standard up-to-date so it more adequately represents current technology available in the market and ensure that the standard protects vulnerable populations such as children. Review the Proposed Revised Standard and background document .

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November 2007

November 27-29, 2007: Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee Meeting - Revised Draft Agenda (Word) (4 pp, 105K)
November 15, 2007: Webinar - Introducing HealthySEAT Version 2
November 13, 2007: American College of Preventive Medicine free webcast: "Reducing the Risk: Detecting and Preventing Exposure to Radon and Mold"

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June 2007

June 10-12, 2007: 4th International Conference on Children’s Health and the Environment
May 31 - June 1, 2007: Communities in Action for Asthma-Friendly Environments National Asthma Forum

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May 2007

May 2007: Asthma Awareness Month
May 20-24, 2007: International Conference on Developmental Toxicity and Fetal Programming
May 10-11, 2007: Priming for Prevention: An Ecological Approach to Research, Education and Policy
May 1-2, 2007: Voluntary Children's Chemical Evaluation Program (VCCEP) Peer Consultation Meeting on p-Dioxane

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April 2007

April 30, 2007: National Healthy Schools Day
April 24-27, 2007: 2007 National Lead Mold Conference
April 15-22, 2007: National Environmental Education Week
April 18-19, 2007: Institute of Medicine's Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders Workshop: "Autism and the Environment: Challenges and Opportunities for Research"
April 22, 2007: Earth Day
April 13, 2007: Indiana Summit on Environmental Health

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March 2007

March 29-31, 2007: The State of Environmental Justice in America 2007 Conference
March 18-24, 2007: National Poison Prevention Week
March 16, 2007: Environmental Health Is a VERB! Building Healthy Children Symposium
March 13-15, 2007: Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee Workshop and Plenary [Word, 125 KB]
March 3-7, 2007: 2007 Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) Conference
March 5-7, 2007: Western Regional Conference on Eliminating Childhood Lead Poisoning, Implementing Healthy Homes Programs, and Combating Indoor Environmental Hazards

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February 2007

Solicitation Notice for National Children's Study Centers Request for Proposal.
February 1-2, 2007: The National Council for Science and the Environment’s 7th National Conference on Science, Policy, and the Environment: Integrating Environment and Human Health

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January 2007

January 28-30, 2007: 2007 UCSF-CHE Summit on Environmental Challenges to Reproductive Health and Fertility

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November 2006

November 15 – 16, 2006: Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee Workshop and Plenary [Word, 99 KB]
November 15-17, 2006: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel

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October 2006

October 12, 2006: Workshop - Protecting Maine's Children from Environmental Risks: Problems & Solutions
October 12, 2006: New York Children's Environmental Health Leadership Symposium. For information, email Stephen J. Boese at sboese@healthyschools.org
October 2, 2006: Child Health Day (Presidential Proclamation)

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September 2006

The Minnesota Department of Health and concerned partners are collaborating to produce a television program for limited-English speaking populations. The program, about the dangers of lead, will be broadcast in six different languages (Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Lao, and Khmer [Cambodian]) – with English open captioning. Watch ECHO on Twin Cities Public Television’s "the Minnesota Channel 17" during Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. For the broadcast schedule, visit the ECHO Web site .
September 24-29, 2006: National Forum on Tribal Environmental Science
September 22, 2006: Workshop - Protecting Vermont's Children from Environmental Risks: Problems & Solutions
September 19-21, 2006: 2006 Region 8 Children's Environmental Health Summit
September 14-15, 2006: National Academy of Sciences Workshop - Exposure to Human Disease: Research Strategies to Address Current Challenges
September 16, 2006: Fourth Biennial Scientific Symposium on Children's Health as Impacted by Environmental Contaminants
The University of Massachusetts Lowell convened two workshops, in Vermont and Maine, to provide nurses and other health professionals with the knowledge and skills to better identify, manage, and prevent environmental health risks to children and to provide a forum to address the challenges of pediatric environmental illness. The workshops were geared to health professionals who serve low-income, immigrant/refugee and minority children in small cities and rural areas in New England, a population that suffers disproportionately from the impacts of environmental contaminants. This project was supported by a grant from EPA. Learn more about the Vermont workshop or the Maine workshop .
On September 8, 2006, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), in partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department, called on the public to stop using the cosmetic black powdered substance called Surma (kohl). This material may contain very high levels of lead and may be applied to the eyes of children. It is also used as a teething powder for infants. The Baltimore City Health Commissioner is issuing an order barring the sale of Kohl-containing cosmetic products in the city. View more information about MDE’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.
On September 5, 2006, EPA ordered five national retail chains to pull cans of illegally imported confetti string products from their shelves that contain banned hydrochlorofluorocarbons that deplete the ozone layer and increase the risk of skin cancer. Read the EPA news release.

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August 2006

August 21-25, 2006: DIOXIN2006 - 26th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants
August 6-11, 2006: International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant
EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission sponsored the First National Environmental Health Survey of Child Care Centers to better understand pesticide-use patterns, the concentrations of pesticides on surfaces, and the distribution of pesticides in child care centers. The study assessed the potential for children's exposure to lead, allergens, and pesticides in places where children spend time. The study indicates that there is the potential for exposure to pesticides in child care centers because pesticide residues were measured on surfaces and in the soil. However, the presence of pesticide residues does not indicate that the occupants were at an increased risk. View an abstract of a manuscript presenting the pesticide measurements from the Health Survey (full manuscript available for a charge).

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July 2006

July 17-19, 2006: Indoor Environmental Quality: Problems, Research and Solutions
July 19-21, 2006: Alabama Environmental Health Association's Annual Education Conference

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June 2006

A new Surgeon General’s report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, concludes that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25 to 30 percent and lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent. The finding is of major public health concern due to the fact that nearly half of all nonsmoking Americans are still regularly exposed to secondhand smoke. The report says the only way to protect nonsmokers from the dangerous chemicals in secondhand smoke is to eliminate smoking indoors. View the report and related materials.
Just updated and re-released: The ANA/ANF's Children's Health and the Environment Series was developed in 2001 in collaboration with the University of Maryland School of Nursing's Environmental Health Education Center and grant-supported by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Children's Health Protection. The purpose of this series is to introduce the foundations and issues associated with environmental-health risks to children in schools, homes and community, and hospitals. Available now are the three modules:
- Safe Workplaces and Healthy Learning Places: Environmentally Healthy Schools
- Environmental Health in Health Care Setting
- Environmental Health: Homes and Communities
There is a direct link to order any of these modules. Each costs $10 or less, depending on whether you are a member of the ANA.
Information on the re-release of the ANA/ANF CE on Children’s Health and the Environment can be found on the Nursingworld Web site . It was a joint project with the University of Maryland’s SON and the EPA.
The Collaborative on Health and the Environment recently announced the newly enhanced and updated CHE Toxicants and Disease Database , a scientifically based, web-interactive database summarizing the evidence of exposure to chemical contaminants and over 180 associated human diseases or conditions. It is a useful tool for researchers, health professionals, health-affected groups and others interested in reviewing the weight of evidence between associated toxicants and diseases.
Upon analysis of Food and Drug Administration data, Consumer Reports found that canned tuna sometimes harbors at least as much mercury as white tuna does. That finding raises new concerns about the safety of canned tuna for pregnant women. Read the Consumer Reports article on the safety concerns of canned tuna .
EPA developed two brochures about its Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3) Chemicals in Schools: Solutions for Healthy School Environments that give school personnel and community partners the information they need to protect students and staff from chemical accidents. View the SC3 brochure for school personnel (PDF/290K) and the SC3 brochure for community partners (PDF/312K).

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May 2006

May 2006: Asthma Awareness Month
On May 24, 2006, the Union of Concerned Scientists released a study that grades all 50 states and the District of Columbia on their school bus fleets' pollution and cleanup programs. The School Bus Pollution Report Card 2006 found that some strides have been made to reduce school bus emissions but more investments need to be made in replacing polluting old buses and retrofitting more recent models. Learn more about the Report Card . Learn about EPA's Clean School Bus USA, which strives to reduce children's exposure to diesel exhaust and the amount of air pollution created by diesel school buses.
May 24, 2006: Workshop for nurses and other health professionals serving children, " Protecting Connecticut's Children from Environmental Risks: Problems and Solutions "
May 22-29, 2006: Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week
May 22-23, 2006: National Asthma Forum
Seven of EPA's Regional Pollution Prevention (P2) Program offices anticipate having up to $163,000 available, per region, in fiscal year 2006 to fund projects supporting source reduction/pollution prevention and/or resource conservation activities. View information about the request for proposals. EPA Regions 1, 8, and 9 have developed independent grant announcements. Visit their respective web sites for information on their solicitations: Region 1, Region 8, and Region 9.
EPA's fifth annual Science Forum, entitled "Your Health, Your Environment, Your Future," was held May 16-18 in Washington, D.C. EPA collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to focus on environmental issues that impact public health. The Forum was free to the public. Visit the Forum’s Web site or download the Forum's flyer (PDF/197K) to learn more.
As a result of EPA's evaluation to ensure that all pesticides meet current health and safety standards, the manufacturer of insect pest strips containing the organophosphate pesticide DDVP (or dichlorvos) has asked EPA to remove certain uses and further restrict where the pest strips can be used in homes. Specifically, the larger strips could not be used in homes except in garages, attics, crawl spaces, and sheds that are occupied for less than four hours per day. For the smaller pest strips, use in the home would be limited to closets, wardrobes, and cupboards. EPA reminds consumers of the importance of reading and following all label directions to ensure pesticide products are used correctly. The pest strips are sold as Alco(r) No-Pest Strip, AMVAC Insect Strip, Alco(r) Pest Strip, AMVAC No-Pest Strip and Swat Pest Strip. Learn more about DDVP.
An international EPA-funded study of over 400 asthma programs, completed by the University of Michigan School of Public Health, has found that asthma programs that address environmental triggers work best when closely connected to front-line health care providers and local communities. The three-year study, called the Asthma Health Outcomes Project, found that the asthma programs used a variety of approaches, such as educating health care providers or intensive home visits with follow-up support to families, to address environmental triggers that make asthma worse. Learn more about the Asthma Health Outcomes Project and read the report .
On May 3, 2006, the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics met on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, to make Congress aware of important issues for families living with asthma, allergies, and related conditions. The event included a congressional briefing, asthma screenings, and an Educational Expo. Learn more about Asthma Awareness Day Capitol Hill .
May 2, 2006: World Asthma Day

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April 2006

On April 27, 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) released new international Child Growth Standards for infants and young children that prove that differences in children's growth to age five are more influenced by nutrition, feeding practices, environment, and healthcare than genetics or ethnicity. View the WHO Child Growth Standards .
April 22, 2006: Earth Day
April 20, 2006: 2006 Children's Environmental Health Awards Ceremony
On April 19, 2006, scientists from the National Institutes of Health reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) the results of the first-ever randomized clinical trials to evaluate the safety of placing amalgam fillings, which contain mercury, in children's teeth. Both studies independently reached the conclusion that children whose cavities were filled with dental amalgam had no adverse health effects.
On April 13, 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement regarding benzene in soft drinks. FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition initiated a survey of benzene levels in soft drinks that indicated that the vast majority of beverages sampled contain either no detectable benzene levels or are well below the U.S. water standard. The results of this survey indicate that the levels of benzene in these beverages do not pose a safety concern. View the FDA statement.
April 3-8, 2006: National Public Health Week
Various Dates 2006: Half-day public meetings, "Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program"
April 4-6, 2006: First public meeting of the Human Studies Review Board (HSRB)

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March 2006

Recall: Beaded Photo Charm Bracelet
March 19-25, 2006: National Poison Prevention Week
March 13-15, 2006: TestSmart DNT (Developmental Neurotoxicity) Open Registration Meeting
Recall: Little Tikes Co. Animal-Shaped Flashlights Sold at Target
EPA is offering a new online course that features information on mold prevention and remediation. The free course, "Introduction to Mold and Mold Remediation for Environmental and Public Health Professionals," is based on EPA’s voluntary guidance document Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.
On March 8, 2006, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published its Fiscal Year 2006 "SuperNOFA," a notice that officially makes available approximately $2.2 billion in grants through 39 individual programs. View HUD's Fiscal Year 2006 SuperNOFA or read the Department's step-by-step registration guide.
EPA’s March 2006 Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) Project Plan outlines EPA's approach to activities for this group of brominated flame retardants. PBDEs have been used in many manufactured products, including foam cushioning in furniture and plastics in televisions and computers. In the event of a fire involving these products, PBDEs slow ignition and rate of fire growth, allowing more time for people to extinguish or escape the fire. However, findings that PBDEs are widely distributed in the environment and are present at increasing levels in people have raised concerns about the potential risks of PBDE exposure to human health and the environment. The Project Plan describes four objectives and the key activities undertaken to achieve those objectives. View the Project Plan and other materials related to PBDEs.

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February 2006

February 28-March 2, 2006, Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee Meeting View the draft agenda in Word format [105 KB]
Recall: Art Accentz™ Changlz™ Metal Charms
On February 20, 2006, EPA announced that it will provide local communities around the country with $7.5 million in grants to reduce kids' exposure to harmful exhaust from their school buses. The grants will help fund the cleanup of more than 500 tons of diesel emissions from 4000 school buses nationwide. The 37 grants were awarded as part of the Clean School Bus USA program, which reduces children's exposure to diesel exhaust. View more information and a list of grantees.
On February 10, 2006, EPA announced the availability of $2.7M to support community-based partnerships to reduce toxic risks in local communities through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program. A range of community groups may apply for funding, including county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities. For additional information, visit the CARE Web site.
On February 8, 2006, EPA announced the release of the final document, "Guidance on Selecting Groups for Monitoring and Assessing Childhood Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (2005)." This document provides guidance to EPA scientists on selecting age groups to consider when assessing childhood exposure and potential dose to environmental contaminants.

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January 2006

January 2006: National Radon Action Month
January 26-27, 2006: 6th National Conference on Science, Policy, and the Environment: Energy for a Sustainable and Secure Future
On January 26, 2006, EPA announced the development of the “3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Childcare Facilities Toolkit,” which contains materials to help schools and childcare centers reduce lead in drinking water.
On January 24, 2006, EPA Regions 9 and 10 announced the availability of $3 million in grant monies for projects aimed at reducing diesel emissions on the West Coast. EPA is seeking grant proposals for projects that demonstrate new, innovative or experimental approaches to reducing diesel emissions. Past grant projects included electrifying truck stops and cruise ship terminals, converting restaurant waste oil to biodiesel fuel and a establishing a revolving loan fund to reduce locomotive emissions. To learn more, visit http://yosemite.ep a.gov/R10/airpage.nsf/grants/wcc+rfp.
Recall: Mizuno USA, Inc. Recalls "Gamer" Baseball Gloves
On January 13, 2006, EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson announced the release of a new tool to help schools identify and prevent health, safety and environmental problems before they arise, building on the agency's voluntary school indoor air quality program. The Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool (HealthySEAT) is a free software tool that school districts can customize to assess potential issues such as mold, asbestos and lead paint, then evaluate and manage information on conditions at each school. Schools can download HealthySEAT at: www.epa.gov/schools.
January 9-11, 2006: National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health

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December 2005

Due to the holidays and overwhelming requests to extend the deadline to apply for the 2006 Children’s Environmental Health Excellence Awards, EPA extended the deadline until January 2, 2006.

The awards are designed to recognize ongoing and sustainable dedication to, and notable leadership in, protecting children from environmental health risks at the local, regional, national, and international level. To learn more about the application process, view the awards' application instructions (PDF/1,020K).
On December 29, 2005, EPA proposed new requirements for contractors and construction professionals when working in homes that contain lead-based paint. The proposed requirements seek to reduce lead poisonings in children across the country. EPA is proposing that contractors must be trained in the use of lead-safe work practices, renovators and firms be certified, providers of renovation training be accredited, and renovators follow protective work practice standards. EPA will take public comment for 90 days following publication of the proposal in the Federal Register. For more information or to obtain copies of the proposal and supporting materials, visit: www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovat ion.htm.
December 9, 2005: Mid-America Pediatric Environmental Hazards Conference
December 7-8, 2005: Midwest Regional Lead and Mold Conference
On December 6, 2005, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) released "The Decontamination of Children: Preparedness and Response for Hospital Emergency Departments," a 27-minute video that trains emergency responders and hospital emergency department staff to decontaminate children after being exposed to hazardous chemicals during a bioterrorist attack or other disaster. A short clip of the video can be found online at www.ahrq.gov/resear ch/deconVideo/decon512k.ram . A free, single copy of the video may be ordered by calling (800) 358-9295 or by sending an e-mail to ahrqpubs@ahrq.gov.

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November 2005

Recall: Stravina Children’s Metal Necklaces and Zipper Pulls
November 29-30, 2005: National Children’s Study Assembly Meeting
On November 28, 2005, OCHP added new information to its Web site for health care providers. View Children's Environmental Health: Online Resources for Health Care Providers.
Recall: Certain Cribs Sold at Toys R Us Stores
November 17-18, 2005: Western Regional Lead and Mold Conference
A study described in the November 2005 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives took a close look at in utero exposure to dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls. The results of the study suggest routine screening of thyroid hormone levels and thyroid function in newborns. View the article .
In November 2005, OCHP developed fact sheets in English and Spanish about the North American network of Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU’s). The fact sheets provide background on the critical role of the environment in child development, describe the function of PEHSU’s, and provide useful Web site addresses. Download Children's Environmental Health and the North American Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PDF/71K) or La Salud Ambiental De Los Niños Y Las Unidades Norteamericanas Especializadas De Salud Medioambiental Pediátrica (PDF/88K).
On November 9, 2005, EPA launched a new Spanish Web page dedicated to providing information on different environmental issues and their effects among Hispanics residing in the United States. The new page, "El medio ambiente y su salud," The Environment and Your Health, will focus on a different issue every month. This month’s key issue is asthma and includes general information about the disease, its environmental triggers, asthma FAQs, and environmental health studies of Hispanics and asthma.
Announced November 3, 2005, EPA’s Office of Policy Economics and Innovation is seeking applications from communities that want assistance with implementing Smart Growth through policy analysis or public participatory processes. Assistance will be provided through an agency contract vehicle, not a grant. Learn more about this opportunity or related grant opportunities on our Grants Management page.
On November 3, 2005, The National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF) released Environmental Management of Pediatric Asthma: Guidelines for Health Care Providers. The guidelines are designed to help pediatric primary care providers advise families about environmental interventions to help reduce or eliminate triggers for children diagnosed with asthma, the nation’s leading pediatric chronic illness. View the complete guidelines .
On November 1, 2005, EPA awarded seven grants to build health professional capacity to address children's environmental health. The grants will help increase the number of physicians, nurses, and public health workers who are able to address the broad spectrum of children's environmental health issues in their practices, in the institutions in which they work, in their communities, and in academic settings. View a summary of the awards or the EPA press release announcing the awards.

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October 2005

October 23-29, 2005, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
October 24-26, 2005, Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee Meeting at Hotel Washington in Washington, D.C. View the draft agenda in PDF format [28 KB]
New data released October 11, 2005 from a two-year study supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences suggest that a home-based environmental intervention program is a cost-effective way to improve the health of inner-city children who have moderate to severe asthma. The program, which included the use of allergen-impermeable covers on the child's mattress, box spring and pillows, air purifiers with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, vacuum cleaners equipped with HEPA filters, and professional pest control, successfully decreased allergen levels in the home and reduced asthma symptoms. View a National Institutes of Health press release about the study .
Congratulations to the DC Safe Kids Coalition, the 2005 recipient of the Safe Kids Worldwide Coalition of the Year Award, which uses EPA's Live, Learn and Play: Tune Into Your Health and Environment to educate its constituents about environmental health.
October 2005, Children’s Health Month

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September 2005

On September 29, 2005, the National Children's Study awarded contracts to six Vanguard Centers to pilot and complete the first phases of the Study. The planned Study is the largest long-term study of human health and development ever conducted in the United States. By following the development of 100,000 children from before birth to age 21, Study researchers hope to better understand how children’s genes and environments interact to affect their health.

The Study is led by a consortium of federal agency partners: the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (including the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at NIH, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To learn more, visit the National Children’s Study Web site .
Recall: Necklace and Earring Costume Jewelry Sets
National Pollution Prevention Week was September 19-25, 2005. This year’s theme at EPA was "Environmental Stewardship Begins at Home."
September 18-21, 2005, Fish Forum sponsored by EPA and the Maryland Department of Environment
Floodwaters from multiple locations across the New Orleans area were sampled by EPA and analyzed for chemicals and bacteria. These initial results represent the beginning of extensive sampling efforts and do not represent the condition of all flood waters throughout the area. Preliminary information indicates that bacteria counts for E. coli in sampled areas greatly exceed EPA's recommended levels for contact. At these levels, human contact with water should be avoided. View a news release about the floodwater contamination or visit EPA’s Hurricane Katrina response Web page at www.epa.gov/katrina.
On September 7, 2005, EPA announced a new proposed rule in the Federal Register regarding Protections for Subjects in Human Research. This new rule contains some of the strongest protections for human subjects ever proposed by the federal government, including a ban on any testing of pesticides that involves intentional dosing of pregnant women or children. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on September 12, 2005. View the Federal Register notice .
On September 6, 2005, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a new report outlining the dangers of well water in infant nitrate poisoning .
Recall: Disney Children’s Red Sunglasses

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August 2005

Recall: Metal Charms

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July 2005

A study, "Acute Illnesses Associated With Pesticide Exposure at Schools," published July 27, 2005 in the Journal of the American Medical Association underscored the risks of pesticide use in and around the nation's schools. The study analyzed 2,593 reported pesticide poisonings in schools and childcare centers from 1998 – 2002 and reported several troubling findings: incidence rates among children increased significantly from 1998 to 2002; drifting pesticides applied off site were responsible for 31% of reported poisonings; and insecticides and disinfectants were the pesticides most frequently at fault. View a free abstract of the study .
July 26-29, 2005, Children's World Summit for the Environment
July 12-14, 2005, Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee Meeting at Hotel Washington in Washington, D.C. View the draft agenda in PDF format [27 KB] or Word format [60 KB]
EPA’s Pesticide Fate Database, which provides information about what happens to pesticides after they are used in the environment, is now available online. The database allows you to search, sort, and retrieve up-to-date pesticide fate and chemistry information. This information can be used to assess pesticide exposure for ecological risk assessments and drinking water exposure assessments.

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June 2005

On June 15, 2005, EPA and several of its partners signed an agreement to reduce lead levels in drinking water in schools and child care facilities. The partners agreed to encourage schools and child care facilities to test drinking water for lead; disseminate results to parents, students, staff, and other interested stakeholders; and take appropriate and necessary actions to correct problems. To learn more, view a press release on the agreement.

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May 2005

EPA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are conducting a two-year study of the effectiveness of sealants in preventing leaching of arsenic from CCA-treated wood. The study is attempting to determine whether or not the application of different wood sealants on CCA-treated wood has effects on the amount of CCA residues to which an individual may be exposed. For more information about the study and interim results, visit EPA's Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) page.
May 2005, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month

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April 2005

Children’s Environmental Health Award Winners Announced!
Fifteen Excellence Awards were presented to groups or individuals that exemplify invaluable leadership in the protection of children from environmental health risks at an awards ceremony on April 21, 2005. Recognition Awards were presented to groups or individuals who demonstrated commitment to protecting children from environmental health risks.
April 27-28, 2005, National Children's Study Federal Advisory Committee Meeting
Learn how you can protect the environment on Earth Day and year-round and see what EPA is doing to ensure a healthier environment by visiting EPA's Earth Day Web page at http://epa.gov/earthday/.
April 22, 2005, Earth Day
April 21, 2005, Children's Environmental Health Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
April 17-19, 2005, Health Effects Institute Annual Conference

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March 2005

On March 29, 2005, EPA issued "Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment" and "Supplemental Guidance on Risks from Early-Life Exposure." The documents provide principles and procedures to guide EPA scientists assessing cancer risk from exposures to environmental pollutants. To learn more, view a press release on the documents.
EPA Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool Beta Version Now Available for Testing
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is developing a new, completely voluntary, and fully customizable tool to help school districts conduct self-assessments of their school facilities for potential environmental health and safety hazards. The heart of the tool is a powerful database file that will let school districts customize the tool to manage all aspects of a facility assessment program. The tool comes pre-loaded with a checklist that integrates all of EPA's voluntary and regulatory programs for schools, and is designed so that states and school districts can incorporate their own policies and programs, producing a customized checklist and reference guidebook. To learn more about the draft Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool and download the Beta Version for testing, visit: http://www.epa.gov/schools. EPA is accepting input from organizations and individuals on the draft tool until May 5, 2005.
New results from a nationwide study on factors that affect asthma in inner-city children show that cockroach allergen appears to worsen asthma symptoms more than either dust mite or pet allergens. This research, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is the first large-scale study to show marked geographic differences in allergen exposure and sensitivity in inner-city children. To learn more, visit www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/news/cockroach.htm .
EPA has improved its chromated copper arsenate (CCA) Web page to make information easier to find. CCA is a chemical wood preservative containing chromium, copper and arsenic. Visit the new CCA page at www.epa.gov/pesticides/antimicrobials/reregistration/cca/.

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February 2005

February 22-24, 2005: Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee Meeting at Hotel Washington in Washington, D.C. View the agenda. [PDF, 26 KB]
February 19-23, 2005: 2005 Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs Annual Conference (AMCHP)

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January 2005

EPA launched a new Spanish Web site as part of its ongoing effort to provide environmental information both in Spanish and English. The site compiles EPA's Spanish language materials on a wide variety of areas from lead poisoning prevention to controlling asthma triggers, recycling to proper management of pesticides. The site also offers educational resources for students and teachers, information about EPA grants, small business opportunities, and environmental jobs at EPA. To view EPA's Spanish site, visit www.epa.gov/espanol.
January 12-13, 2005: Surgeon General’s Workshop on Healthy Indoor Environment
Recall: Children's Costume Bracelets

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December 2004

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November 2004

On November 30, 2004, EPA released a Notice of Data Availability (NODA) for its proposed Clean Air Mercury Rule. The NODA summarizes the more than 680,000 public comments received during the comment period and solicits further comment on new data and information to help EPA evaluate which regulatory approach will best reduce mercury emissions from power plants. The NODA is part of the EPA process toward delivering a final mercury rule by March 15, 2005. Initially proposed on Jan. 30, 2004, the Clean Air Mercury Rule would reduce mercury emissions from power plants for the first time ever. For more information, view an EPA press release on the NODA.
On November 16, 2004, the Department of Health and Human Services entered the implementation phase of the National Children’s Study, which will track 100,000 children in 96 locations across the U.S. from birth through age 21. The study will follow the children as they grow up, looking at their genetics, neighborhoods, schools, and environment to develop important information that will safeguard children’s health. To learn more, visit www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov .
Product Recall: Toy Jewelry Sold in Vending Machines
A settlement with Toyota Motor Corporation is providing $20 million to school districts for filters and ultra-low sulfur fuel for their school bus fleets. Districts can get up to $750,000 to retrofit their school bus fleets. School districts ONLY can apply. School districts in nonattainment areas for particulate or ozone will have first priority. For more information, visit www.cleanbusesforkids.com .
Toxicity and Exposure Assessment for Children's Health (TEACH) is an EPA project that complements existing information on health risks to children from exposure to chemicals in the environment. TEACH consolidates children's health information from scientific literature and improves access to that information through an interactive Web site. The Web site includes a searchable database and Chemical Summary Forms.
EPA supported the WHO effort to create "Inheriting the World: the Atlas of Children's Health and Environment " launched at the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in Budapest.
November 9-10: 2004 Indiana Lead-Safe & Healthy Homes Conference
November 6-10:American Public Health Association Annual Meeting

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October 2004

EPA Launches First Annual Children's Environmental Health Awards
To raise awareness and highlight the importance of protecting children from environmental risks, EPA is pleased to announce the launch of its first annual children's environmental health awards. These awards are designed to recognize and highlight the exemplary achievements of organizations or individuals who have demonstrated a level of commitment and leadership in protecting children from environmental risks.

We encourage you to apply for these awards to earn your organization recognition for their commitment to protecting children from environmental hazards and for setting a good example for others to follow.

Download the awards description and application (PDF/769K)!
Press Release
A Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee meeting was held on October 27-28, 2004 at Hotel Washington in Washington, D.C. View the agenda for the meeting. (PDF/64K)
October 18-19: EPA and NIEHS Joint Research Workshop on Asthma Induction
October 9-13: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition

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September 2004

EPA and National Urban League Kick Off Children's Health Month by Joining Forces To Protect Children from Environmental Health Risks
On September 29, 2004, EPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Urban League to work together on protecting children in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities from environmental health risks. Children in these communities may be disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. Each October, EPA commemorates Children's Health Month, which is designed to increase public awareness and provide tools that the general public, health care providers, environmental professionals and businesses can use to help protect children from environmental health risks. Learn more about the EPA and National Urban League partnership or download the Memorandum of Understanding (PDF/687K).
The EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Office of Regulatory Enforcement dedicated the September 2004 issue of "Enforcement Alert" (PDF) to the protection of children from exposure to asbestos at school. To learn more, call the Toxic Substances Control Act Assistance Information Service at (202) 554-1404 or the Asbestos Ombudsman at (800) 368-5888.
September 24-25: Biennial Scientific Symposium on Children's Health as Impacted by Environmental Contaminants
September 13: Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, Healthy Environments – A Nurse’s Role in Assessing and Addressing the Health Risks to Mothers and Babies from Environmental Exposures
September 11: Conference on Children's Health and the Environment

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August 2004

Photo, Essay, and Poetry Contests Announced June 14, 2004
Two photography and writing contests highlighting older Americans will take place this summer. The Environmental Protection Agency's Aging Initiative has announced a Photo, Essay, and Poetry Contest entitled "What I did to improve the environment and protect health this summer." Selected submissions will be highlighted on the EPA Aging Initiative Web site in the fall. Each submission must show older adults working to improve health through the environment. The deadline is Aug. 27.

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July 2004

A new Children's Environmental Health Center at Harvard School of Public Health will develop an integrated approach to the study of the mixture of toxic metals at the Tar Creek Superfund Site in Oklahoma and their potential effects on the neurological, behavioral, and mental development of children living in the area. For more information, visit: www.nih.gov/news/pr/jul20 04/nie hs-07.htm .
Generations United, with support from MetLife Foundation's Healthy Aging Initiative, is holding a 2004 Intergenerational Photography Contest. The contest is for the best intergenerational photo taken by a younger or older person, of younger and older people together. Entries must be postmarked by July 31.

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April 2004

The Mercury Medical and Public Health Issues Symposium will be held from April 28-30.
On April 21-23, 2004, the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) will hold their annual meeting at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. The meeting will include sessions on exploring new ideas/strategies for enhancing the promotion and outreach activities of the PEHSU program and exploring the latest information on best practices, research, and emerging science in pediatric environmental health. For more information, contact Paula M. Davis, PEHSU Program Coordinator, at 1-888-347-AOEC.

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March 2004

On March 19, 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced their joint consumer advisory on methylmercury in fish and shellfish for reducing the exposure to high levels of mercury in women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children. The FDA and EPA want to emphasize the benefits of eating fish - consumers should know that fish and shellfish can be important parts of a healthy and balanced diet. However, as a matter of prudence, women might wish to modify the amount and type of fish they consume if they are planning to become pregnant, pregnant, nursing, or feeding a young child. To view the new advisory, visit www.epa.gov/ost/fish.

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February 2004

February 22-25, 2004, Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor Hotel. EPA's National Air Quality Conference provides a unique opportunity to learn the latest information on fine particle and ozone mapping, air quality forecasting, the Air Quality Index (AQI) and your health, and innovative outreach programs. This year's conference will have a special emphasis on year-round forecasting, mapping, and outreach activities. Come share your experiences and learn about more effective ways to provide the information needed by the public to make healthy choices, every day of the year.

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January 2004

On January 22, 2004, Denver unveiled a unique, new art mural that will help protect children from lead poisoning. The mural features photographs of 44 children and serves as a reminder that lead poisoning can harm children. EPA, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, the City of Denver, and the Northeast Denver Housing Center worked together to make the mural -- a public awareness tool which will reach as many as 500,000 people each day. For more information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/region8.
A Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee meeting will be held January 14-15, 2004 at Hotel Washington in Washington, D.C. View the agenda [PDF 48KB] for the meeting.

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December 2003

The Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP), a group of independent scientists that advises EPA on critical science issues, will evaluate and provide comments to further refine EPA's draft risk assessment on pressure-treated wood on Dec. 3-5. The draft assessment evaluates the potential risks to children who play on playsets and decks made with wood pressure-treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA). EPA is also conducting a study on whether sealants can reduce or eliminate exposure to arsenic in CCA-treated wood as a way to help consumers make informed choices around their home. Results from this study are expected in 2004. View the draft risk assessment.

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October 2003

The Office of Children's Health Protection, in coordination with other EPA program offices, has developed a new children's environmental health brochure titled, "Protect Children, Protect Our Future."
The Children's Health Valuation Handbook is a reference tool for people conducting economic analysis of EPA policies that affect children's health. The handbook is a companion document to "EPA's Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analysis" (2000) and provides information on ways to incorporate the unique environmental risks to youth. It also describes EPA's criteria for valuing children's health effects and will encourage research among economists and other experts.
During October, nurses can learn to create environmentally healthy homes and communities by using the Medscape Web site . "Children's Health and the Environment: Environmentally Healthy Homes and Communities" will help nurses identify, prevent and manage environmental health risks to children where they live and play.
On October 2, EPA's SunWise School Program and the Curt and Shonda Schilling Melanoma Foundation of America (SHADE) received the 2003 Excellence in Cancer Awareness award from the Congressional Families Action for Cancer Awareness. The award honored EPA and SHADE Foundation for their partnership to eliminate skin cancer and melanoma. First launched nationally in May 2000, the SunWise School Program tools teach children and their caregivers how to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause serious health effects, including skin cancer. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/sunwise or contact John Millett at (202) 564-7842 or millett.john@epa.gov.
October is Children's Health Month! Visit the Children's Health Month Web site to discover the rewards of healthy children and take advantage of a special October calendar that includes an action step for each day of the month - topics ranging from nutrition and school health, to environmental safety, to injury and disease prevention.
On October 26-28, 2003, EPA will host its 4th Annual Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools National Symposium at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC.
October 19-25, 2003 is the fifth annual Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. This year's theme is "Partnering for Prevention," emphasizing the large number of lead poisoning prevention resources available. Events being held across the country include free blood-lead tests for children, opportunities for education and outreach to families, and workshops on lead education and safety. Low-level lead poisoning, due to the existence of lead paint in older homes, continues to be a concern for as many as three million American children under the age of six and can trigger learning disabilities, decreased growth, hyperactivity, impaired hearing and even brain damage. For more information, contact your local health department, call 1-800-424-LEAD or visit EPA's Web site at www.epa.gov/lead/.
On October 20-21, 2003, EPA will host its second "Workshop on Valuing Environmental Health Risk Reductions to Children" at the Washington Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C. For the workshop's agenda, registration information, and logistics, visit the workshop's Web site.
EPA's Office of Solid Waste announces an art contest for students. By entering, students can help EPA save natural resources and protect our environment by promoting waste prevention. Students from kindergarten - 6^th grade are invited to enter an Earth Day 2004 Poster Contest and students from 7^th - 12^th grade are invited to enter a CD Cover Contest. For details, rules, and prize information visit www.epa.gov /epaoswer/osw/specials/artcontest/index.htm.

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September 2003

On September 29, 2003, EPA unveiled a new Web site, www.epa.gov/highschool/, to help high school students explore and learn about their environment and ways to protect it. The Web site contains information about air and water issues, waste and recycling, conservation, health and safety, ecosystems, and community environmental conditions. It also links interested students to internship and scholarship opportunities, environmental careers, and community involvement projects.

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July 2003

OCHP has added a fourth paper to its Paper Series on Children's Health and the Environment, titled Asthma-Related Medical Expenditures in the United States: Distributions and Trends.
A Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee meeting will be held July 15-17 at Hotel Washington in Washington, D.C. View the agenda for the meeting [PDF 139KB]. To view documents in PDF format, the free Acrobat Reader is required.

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June 2003

EPA has completed draft final Guidelines for Carcinogenic Risk Assessment, which has Supplemental Guidance for Assessing Cancer Susceptibility Resulting from Early-Life Exposure to Carcinogens. The Supplemental Guidance contains an analysis of studies and a possible approach for how quantitative scientific data could inform risk assessments when exposure to carcinogens occurs during childhood is considered. The EPA's Scientific Advisory Board has reviewed the Supplemental Guidance and a draft report of the review is available [PDF 235KB].
EPA Administrator Christie Whitman announces the availability of a $5 million grant program to make school buses cleaner for the 24 million children who travel on a bus to and from school every day. The grants are under EPA's Clean School Bus USA initiative, which is designed to limit children's exposure to the harmful effects of diesel exhaust from school buses.
Upcoming teleconference meeting (June 20, 2003) to discuss the draft report of the Supplemental Guidance for Assessing Cancer Susceptibility from Early-life Exposure to Carcinogens (SGACS) review panel.

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May 2003

Cancer Guidelines Public Comment Period Open

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April 2003

Earth Day 2003 Helps Protect Children and the Aging
April 7 is World Health Day: Shape the Future of Life - Healthy Environments for Children
President Extends Executive Order for Task Force on Environmental Risks to Children
Partnership to Reduce Children's Exposure to Emissions from Diesel School Buses

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February 2003

America's Children and the Environment: Measures of Contaminants, Body Burdens, and Illnesses

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Children's Health Protection News Archive by Date

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