Extracted text

OCR Page 1 of 58
KID FLASH An Update Of EPA Activities To Protect Children From Environmental Health Hazards Centers of Excellence In Children's national media campaigns EPA is educating Environmental Health Established: physicians and other health care providers, teachers, school administrators, children and On August 10, 1998, the Vice President parents about factors known to contribute to announced the establishment of the first childhood asthma. federal research centers dedicated solely to studying children's environmental health More information can be found on EPA's hazards. These unique Centers will perform research and development web targeted research into children's site: http//www.epa.gov/ord. environmental health, and translate their scientific findings into intervention and prevention strategies by working directly with Achieving our National Goal to Protect communities. There are eight centers at Children from Exposure to Secondhand academic institutions throughout the country. Smoke: The centers are jointly funded by EPA and DHHS. EPA's goal is to increase the number of smoke-free homes with children (currently, More information on the Centers can be 27% of American households expose young found on the Children's Health Protection children to environmental tobacco smoke Web Site. http://www.epa.gov/children or call (ETS)). Chris Saint at (202) 564-6909. This Fall, EPA, in cooperation with the American Medical Association and the EPA is Undertaking an Integrated Approach Consumer Research Council will release a to Combating Childhood Asthma, the Leading public service announcement designed to Cause of School Absenteeism due to Chronic motivate parents to make their homes smoke- Illness: free. EPA also works together with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the EPA's Office of Research and Development is National Center for Health and Safety in developing an integrated research strategy Child Care to educate the public about the to address ambient air pollution sources such risks to children from ETS exposure. In as ozone and particulate matter that may addition, EPA is collaborating with the World exacerbate asthma, as well as to better Health Organization to sponsor an understand the relationship between asthma international conference on ETS and and indoor pollutants such as dust mite and children's health to take place in Geneva in cockroach allergen, molds, and indoor January. This conference is a result of the contaminants such as pesticides and VOC's. Children and the Environment Summit in May Through community-based programs and of 1997 of the Environmental Leaders of the