Protecting Children from Environmental Health Risks Created by the Environmental Association for Great Lakes Education – EcoSource.orgwww.EAGLE- EcoSource.org In support of Preventing Harm Minnesota – With contributions from: The Center for Health, Environment and Justice – The Environmental Working Group – The Children’s Health Environmental Coalition –

“Better safe than sorry” Environmental Chemical Exposures Should Be Treated the Same Way We Treat Hazards Such As: Placing a gate at the top of a staircase to keep children from falling down. Placing children in seat belts and safety car seats. Keeping medications out of children’s reach.

The World Today: There are an estimated 80,000 chemicals in commercial products. (EPA) Of the top 15,000 high-volume chemicals, 75% have no basic toxicity information and more than 90% have not been tested for their health effects on children. (EPA) An average of 3,000 new chemicals are created every week. Scientists estimate that every adult today carries within her or his body at least 700 chemical contaminants.

REASON #1 There are no mandatory health studies required to put a chemical into a commercial product.

REASON #2 People vary enormously in their reaction to toxic substances.

#3 The fetus, infants, and children are more vulnerable to toxic exposures. 1. The developing body, has critical windows of vulnerability. 2. Pound for pound, children drink more water, eat more food, breath more air and have twice the body surface (skin) of adults. 3. Childlike behavior can increase exposure to chemicals. 4. The developing brain is extremely sensitive.

#4 Childhood cancer, developmental disabilities, and asthma rates are increasing at startling rates. In the 20 years from 1975 to 1995, childhood cancer rates rose 15%. Between 1992 and 1996, 20 of every 100,000 preschool-age children (ages 4 and younger) were diagnosed with cancer. The number of children in special education programs increased 191% from 1977 to National childhood asthma rates increased 160% for ages zero to four in the past three decades.

#5The old cliché “the dose makes the poison,” the idea that something is only dangerous in large quantities, is not always true. It’s not just the dose, it’s the timing. Tiny doses are often toxic to some people. Sometimes low doses are more toxic than high doses. Low-dose effects can be easily missed by standard high-dose animal studies. We are all exposed to mixtures of hundreds of chemicals.

#6 Industry routinely claims that chemicals are safe just because there are no reports or evidence of human harm. Lack of proof does not imply safety.

Breathe

Eat Healthy. Eat organically grown food. Eat low fat, antibiotic-free, rBGH-free dairy and meat. Make your own food from scratch as much as possible. Be aware of local fish consumption. Remember that a healthy, well-balanced diet helps build a strong body that is more capable of fighting the adverse health effects of chemical contaminants.

Clean Safely. Clean with non- aerosol, “non-toxic” options or make your own natural cleaners. Buy clothes that don’t require dry cleaning, or use “wet cleaners” instead. Avoid using antibacterial soaps.

Help children breathe easier. Don’t let anyone smoke in your house. Open windows regularly. Install radon and carbon monoxide detectors.

Use least toxic supplies when renovating. Keep pregnant women and children away from renovation areas. Ventilate well and clean up with a damp rag. If your house was built before 1978, be sure to test for lead paint.

Make your lawn kid-safe. Avoid using pesticides on your lawn or garden. Pesticides are poisons and can harm organisms other than those targeted, including your children. Take off your shoes (or wipe them on a mat) when you enter the house.

Keep your home clean and bug-free. Don’t provide bugs or rodents with food or water. Clean spills immediately, remove clutter, and seal food in airtight containers. Remember, pesticides are poisons and you should avoid using them at all costs to protect your children’s health.

Be aware of ozone and other air quality alerts, particularly if your child has asthma. Use the site Don’t contribute to the problem. Purchase energy efficient appliances and compact flourescent lightbulbs. Drive less. Vehicles are the number one source of outdoor pollution.

Investigate toxic sites and industrial pollution near your home or your child’s daycare center or school, by visiting

Test your drinking water, especially if you have a private well. Be aware of recreational water warnings. Help protect our water supply by not using pesticides, not flushing or dumping household hazardous waste - which is anything with a caution, warning or danger label, and not flushing or dumping unused portions of medications.

Advocate for children. Support organizations working to improve children’s environmental health. Get involved in your child’s school or daycare and promote safer practices. Support policies that protect children. Find out who your elected representatives are and ask them what they’re doing to protect children’s health. Vote in the next election.

Use your consumer dollar wisely. “Reduce, re-use, and recycle.” Purchase natural personal care products, especially for babies and children. Avoid chlorinated products (PVC/vinyl, bleached paper, etc.)

Get rid of your burn barrel. Call your local garbage hauler for service options or bring your waste to the proper location. Create less garbage by reducing, reusing, and recycling. Compost organic waste like produce scraps, leaves and grass.

Minnesota issues Feed lots Radon Fish Consumption Meth labs and other hidden drug labs Agricultural pesticides

Don’t get too stressed out. Be concerned, be aware, be responsible. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.