Children’s Environmental Health 

Children are more susceptible to toxins in the environment than adults because children eat more food, drink more water, and breathe more air in proportion to their body size. In addition, many of their systems are still under development and certain behaviors may put them at a higher risk for exposure. Below is a list of environmental health issues that are organized into the places where children spend much of their time: the home, school, and outdoor environment. We have provided links to web resources that contain detailed information and solutions for you and your family. Much of the information comes from the State's Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as well as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other local and national resources. If you have any questions or would like more information about any of these topics, please contact the Environmental Toxicology section at 971-673-0440 or email us at general.toxicology@state.or.us.

Children’s Health in the Home

• Overview of Toxins in the Home -  

  • The National Library of Medicine's Tox Town offers an introduction to toxic chemicals and environmental health risks you might encounter in everyday life and in everyday places. Visit the section on homes to learn more about healthy homes, chemicals in the home, and other home safety issues.

  • Children’s Health Protection Website (EPA) - get up-to-date information about potential threats to children’s environmental health at home and learn about the steps parents can take to protect their children. Scientific data, regulations, and publications are also provided.

• Lead - Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, visual-motor problems, lowered intelligence, and stunted growth. Dust from lead-based paint is the main source of lead poisoning, but lead can also be found in lead solder, household plumbing, soil around homes, ceramics or pottery, fishing weights and bullets, and folk medicines.  

  • Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (DHS) - learn more about lead poisoning and about local resources for blood lead testing.
  • Lead-Based Paint Program (DHS) - learn more about lead-based paint and how to keep your home lead-safe.  

• Drug Labs - Methamphetamine cooks use many toxic chemicals and the cooking process creates a residue of methamphetamine that coats all the surfaces of a property. If labs are not cleaned up properly then the public, and specifically children, are at high risk for coming into contact with these dangerous contaminants.                 

  • What is a meth lab? (DHS) - learn about the dangers, the signs to look for, and what to do if you suspect a lab in your neighborhood.

• Pesticides - Pesticides can be beneficial, but they can be very dangerous to children if they are not used or stored properly. Learn more about what you can do to reduce exposure in your home.

  • Healthy Lawn, Healthy Families progam (DEQ) - learn how to use natural products on your lawn.
  • Pesticides and Child Safety (EPA) - learn about the dangers of pesticides and how to properly store and use them.
  • National Pesticide Information Center (Oregon State University) - learn about pesticide safety, risk assessment, reading pesticide labels, pesticides in food and other comprehensive information about pesticides.
• Mold - Household mold is a environmental irritant that can cause respiratory irritation and can aggravate asthma and cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals and children are at a greater risk. Mold should be removed as soon as it is discovered, but it is important to note that mold rarely causes severe illness and is merely an indication of moisture problems in the home.
  • Mold Information (DHS) - learn how to prevent and clean mold in your home. 
  • Mold Resources (EPA) - find more resources on mold and read the latest research findings.

• Radon - If a significant amount of radon is present in the soil on which your home is built, it can collect in higher-than-average levels in your home. Over time, exposure to high levels of radon increases a person's risk of developing lung cancer.

  • Radon Program (DHS) - learn more about local resource for testing and radon mitigation.
  • Radon Information (EPA) - learn more about the risk and the latest research findings.
• Drinking water - Learn about the sources of drinking water, how it is treated, and how everyday actions can affect the safety of our water supply.
  • Drinking Water Program (DHS) - learn more about Oregon's drinking water regulations. 
    • American Academy of Pediatrics - learn about recommendations and policy statements for private well drinking water. 
    • Drinking Water & Ground Water Kids' Stuff (EPA) - kids can participate in several activities to learn more about drinking water.
• Asthma - Approximately 64,000 children in Oregon have this chronic lung disease and it is the leading cause of school absences nationwide. Learn more about asthma, what triggers attacks, and how to help your child successfully manage this disease.
  • Asthma in Oregon (DHS) - learn about Oregon's resources for managing asthma
  • Oregon Lung Association's Asthma Program - learn about the associations resources for asthma education. 
  • No Attacks campaign (EPA) - learn how parents, caregivers, and health providers can help children reduce attacks and manage their asthma.

• Secondhand Tobacco Smoke - Children exposed to secondhand smoke miss more days of school every year, are more likely to have asthma, and have a higher rate of respiratory infections. Babies exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

  • Secondhand Smoke information (American Lung Association of Oregon) - learn more about the health problems caused by secondhand smoke.

  • Tobacco Prevention Program (DHS) - learn about state tobacco prevention efforts and about resources for quitting tobacco.

  • Smoke-free Homes program (EPA) - make a pledge to keep your home smoke-free.

• Indoor Air - Poor indoor air quality can create health problems for both children and adults.  

  • Indoor Air Quality (EPA)- Learn about the the sources of indoor air pollution, the health effects, and how to improve indoor air quality.

• Poison - Many of the products we use in and around our homes can be poisonous and children under the age of 5 are the most likely to be exposed to poisons, but teens and adults are also at risk.  

  • Oregon Poison Center - Learn how to prevent poisoning and what to do in a poisoning emergency.

• Building materials and consumer products - Many products and materials we use everyday can be toxic to children. Learn about these items and how to use them properly or replace them with safer options.

  • Addressing Indoor Environmental Concerns During Remodeling (EPA) - If you are thinking about remodeling your home take some time to learn about what you can do to improve indoor air quality and decrease your exposure to harmful materials.
  • Asbestos Program (DEQ) - Asbestos is a material that is know to cause cancer. Learn about how to prevent exposure to this building material.
  • PBDEs (DHS) - PBDEs are chemical flame retardants that have been shown to cause problems with brain development in animals. Learn more about where PBDEs are found and how to reduce your exposure.
  • Tiny Footprints (Oregon Environmental Council) - learn how to make eco-friendly choices for your home.
  • Formaldehyde Fact Sheet (DEQ) - Formaldehyde is a common gas that can have both temporary and permanent health effects. Learn about the sources of formaldehyde and about what is being done in Oregon to reduce exposure to it.
  • Art and Creative Materials Institute's list of non-toxic art supplies - learn about art products that have been certified as non-toxic for children and adults.

Children’s Health in School

• Overview of Toxins in School -
  •  The National Library of Medicine's Tox Town offers an introduction to toxic chemicals and environmental health risks you might encounter in everyday life and in everyday places. Visit the section on homes to learn more about healthy schools, chemicals in school, and other school safety issues.
  • Children’s Health Protection Website (EPA) - get up-to-date information about potential threats to children’s environmental health at school and learn about the steps parents can take to protect their children. Scientific data, regulations, and publications are also provided.
• Pesticides- Pesticides can be beneficial, but they can be very dangerous to children if they are not used or stored properly. Learn more about what schools can do to reduces exposure in the classroom.
  • Pest control practices in schools [Oregon Environmental Council (OEC)] - This report reviews how pesticides are used in Oregon schools. 
  • Integrated Pest Management in Schools (EPA) - learn about this safer, and usually less costly option for effective pest management in the school community.
• Asthma - Approximately 64,000 children in Oregon have this chronic lung disease and it is the leading cause of school absences nationwide. Learn more about asthma, what triggers attacks, and how to help your child successfully manage this disease while they are at school.
  • Oregon's Schools and Asthma Workgroup (DHS) - learn what this group is doing to give children and school staff the information, skills and support they need to manage this disease.
  • Open Airways for School (American Lung Association of Oregon) - learn more about this elementary school program assists elementary school students in gaining better control of their asthma.
• Indoor Air - Poor indoor air quality can create health problems for students, teachers, and administrators. Learn about the the sources of indoor air pollution, the health effects, and how to improve indoor air quality. 
  • Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools Kit (EPA) - learn how schools can improve indoor air problems at little or no cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff.
  • IAQ Design (EPA) - learn how to design new schools as well as repair, renovate and maintain existing facilities.
• Diesel - Exposure to diesel can cause lung damage and exacerbate existing respiratory disease. 
  • "It's Not Cool to Idle at School" (OEC) - learn about this program to reduce exposure to car exhaust. 
  • Clean School Bus USA (EPA) - one of the EPA Tools for Schools programs that aims to reduce school bus diesel emissions.   
• Eco-friendly childcare and schools -Learn about programs that aim to improve the safety and health of children in these facilities.
  • Childcare Providers (OEC) - learn more about the Oregon Environmental Council's Eco-friendly Childcare program and find a list of Oregon providers who qualify as eco-friendly. 
  • Teachers (OEC) - learn about the Oregon Green and Health School teams program and about how to bring the program to your school.
  • Art and Creative Materials Institute's list of non-toxic art supplies - Oregon requires all public schools to purchase and use only those products that have been certifies by ACMI as non-toxic. This list is also recommended for use by private schools, home-schools, daycare facilities and public and private art associations. Learn more about the certification process and see a list of currently approved products.

Children’s Health in the Environment

• Overview of Toxins in the Environment - There are many chemical and environmental health risk that common in your child's environment.
  • The National Library of Medicine's Tox Town offers an introduction to toxic chemicals and environmental health risks you might encounter in everyday life and in everyday places. Visit the the town, city, farm, and US-Mexico border to learn more about the issues in these different areas.
  • Children’s Health Protection Website (EPA) - get up-to-date information about potential threats to children’s environmental health in the outdoors and learn about the steps parents can take to protect their children. Scientific data, regulations, and publications are also provided.
  • Toxicity and Exposure Assessment for Children's Health (EPA) - read summaries of children's health literature for 18 chemicals/chemical groups of concern to children.
• Pesticides - Pesticides can be beneficial, but they can be very dangerous to children if they are not used or stored properly. Adults who work on farms have an increased risk for exposure to pesticides and are likely to bring pesticides residue into the home where children can become exposed.
  • The Pesticide Poisoning Prevention Program (DHS) - learn about what to do if you are exposed to a pesticides in the workplace and about the resources available to workers who use pesticides.
  • Pesticide Safety Tips brochure (National Institutes of Health) - this brochure reviews what workers can do to protect themselves and their family from exposure to pesticides.
• Hazardous waste sites - An estimated 3-4 million American Children live within one mile of at least one hazardous waste site and often have greater exposure and greater potential for health problems.  
  • Superfund Health INvestigation and Education - learn about this program's efforts to evaluate and prevent exposure to hazardous substances from industrial waste sites, unplanned releases of toxic substances, and other sources of pollution present in Oregon's environment.
  • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's Office of Children’s Health - learn more about current health assessment activities, educational efforts, and research findings related to children living near hazardous waste sites.
• Fish contaminants - Both fish you catch and the fish you buy at the store may contain contaminants that could harm you and your children.
  • Oregon's Fish consumption guidelines (DHS) - learn about the the types and amounts of fish that should be eaten by children, pregnant women, and adults. This site also contains tips on how to safely prepare the fish you eat.
• Blue-green algae - blooms can produce toxins that can cause several health problems and children are at greater risk.
  •  Blue-green algae factsheet (DHS) - learn about the signs to look for and how to avoid health problems.
• Beach water quality information - Exposure to increased levels of bacteria in marine water can lead to gastrointestinal illness, rashes, and respiratory infections and children are at greater risk.
  • Beach monitoring program (DHS) - learn about the program and get current information about monitored beaches. 
• Diesel and other air quality issues - Exposure to diesel and other air pollutants can cause serious health effects and exacerbate existing respiratory disease. 
  • The Oregon Clean Diesel Initiative (DEQ) - learn about the state's efforts to retrofit older diesel engines and to increase the use of clean diesel.
  • Air quality program (DEQ) - Learn about the major sources of pollution in Oregon and about the programs that aim to reduce this pollution.