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En español: Temas candentes: Un entorno saludable para los niños |
This article originally appeared in the March-April 2007 issue of the Children's Advocate, published by Action Alliance for Children. Use the Children's Advocate in your work! Feel free to reprint this article, as a handout or in your own publication -- just credit us (see above) and be sure to send us a copy. Hot topicsA healthy environment for kidsParents and advocates take action to protect kids from environmental hazardsBy Aimee StrainRobina Suwol got active against pesticides nine years ago when “I was dropping off my kids, and a man in a hazmat suit (was) spraying around the school,” she says. Her son had a severe asthma attack—and Suwol found out the man had been spraying a weed-killer known to trigger asthma attacks. Children are more vulnerable than adults to environmental health hazards—such as pesticides, air pollution, lead, and toxic products—because their bodies are still developing, says Rachel Gibson, an activist with Environment California. Low-income families are also more at risk, says Neil Gendel, director of the Healthy Children Organizing Project, because their communities have a disproportionate share of environmental hazards and because of the stress of being poor.
Pesticides: “The most stringent policy”Pesticides can cause developmental delays, learning disabilities, immune problems, and cancer, says Gibson. Suwol and other parents formed California Safe Schools and started talking with parents, community members, and teachers about the dangers of pesticides to children. They researched pesticide products and joined forces with the PTA, the teachers’ union, and students. Then they met with Los Angeles Unified School District board members about the need for safer pesticide policies. The LAUSD “created the most stringent policy for pesticides in US,” says Suwol. It reduces risky practices and gives parents the right to know about schools’ pesticide use. The state adopted a similar policy—now all California schools are required to use the “least toxic” pest management and to make pesticide records available to parents. Advocacy
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Asthma: “Worth it to keep fighting”Maria Trujillo got involved with the Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma because “the polluted air damages my daughter’s health. It affects her school work—she missed so many days, she gets tired quickly.” Trujillo testified in Sacramento with other parents about a bill that would improve Long Beach’s air quality with funds raised from fees on shipping. At least 10% of California children have asthma, says Community Action to Fight Asthma. Asthma attacks can be triggered by many things—dust, cigarette smoke, cockroaches—but studies show air pollution makes asthma worse. “Communities of color are disproportionately exposed to environmental triggers,” says Anne Kelsey Lamb, director of the Regional Asthma Management and Prevention Initiative. Though the bill didn’t pass, “(it) helped motivate other moms,” says Trujillo. “We discuss how our children’s health is affected by air pollution. It was a sacrifice to travel to Sacramento but it is worth it to keep fighting.” Advocacy
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Toxic products: “The chemicals leach out”Activists are concerned about two toxic chemicals used in children’s toys and baby bottles, says Gibson: phthalates in teethers and plastic toys and Bisphenol A in baby bottles and water pitchers. “The chemicals leach out of the products,” says Gibson and can contribute to early puberty, obesity, diabetes, and hyperactivity. Advocacy
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Lead: “Totally preventable”Young children are most vulnerable to poisoning from lead, which can cause learning disabilities and behavior problems. Most lead poisoning is caused by lead-based paint in homes built before 1978, but lead is also in some candy, folk remedies, ceramic dishes, and toys made outside the US. “Lead is totally preventable,” says Gendel. Advocacy
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Global warming: “A greater threat to our health”Average temperatures are rising to record levels, says a new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (an organization of scientists in 130 countries). Polluting gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap the sun’s heat—and global warming is predicted to increase extreme weather, natural disasters, and smog. “Future air quality may pose a greater threat to our health, especially (for children) with asthma,” says John Balbus, head of the Environmental Defense Fund’s health program. Advocacy
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| New, article in Chinese! Download pdf version in Chinese |
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| A healthy
environment for kids |
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| Pesticides: “The most stringent policy” | ||
| Asthma: “Worth it to keep fighting” |
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| Toxic products: “The chemicals leach out” | ||
| Lead: “Totally preventable” |
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| Global warming: “A greater threat to our health” |
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| Extra resources from the Children’s Advocate bulletin |
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