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Sunshine Kids, Inc – 84 -November 2024 Spotlight

kristiet_a0o04rjz on November 21, 2024

Sunshine Kids, Inc – 84 is a center-based child care facility in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, that opened in May 1999. In 2019, the center was endorsed as an Eco-Healthy Child Care® (EHCC) facility for the first time. It serves 48 children daily, ranging in age from 2 months to 12 years.

Pam Halinka, the Director of Sunshine Kids, Inc – 84, sought ways to protect the health of the children in her care and the staff from environmental hazards. In January 2019, she applied for and received a grant to help the center adopt more eco-friendly practices. Through the Eco-Healthy endorsement checklist, she implemented various changes, such as daily vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum, setting up recycling bins for paper and plastic, and placing doormats at both entrances.

Ms. Halinka found the Eco-Healthy Child Care® factsheets and FAQs informative and helpful, especially the plastics factsheet and the “Safer Dolls” FAQ, which guided her in checking for PVC in dolls and toys. Since receiving the endorsement, she has replaced the vinyl dolls in the toddler area with machine-washable ones and ensures that new dolls introduced to the center are PVC-free.

Ms. Halinka is dedicated to integrating Eco-Healthy practices throughout the center. However, she recently encountered challenges sourcing healthy cleaning products. Determined to protect the well-being of both children and staff, she attended a Green Clean Training, where she received a Zero Water Dispenser, a HEPA vacuum, and other safer cleaning supplies and tips. Using safe and approved green cleaning products can reduce the amount of toxic chemicals that children are exposed to, improving air quality, causing less irritation to the skin and eyes, and protecting children’s respiratory tracts.

Her commitment to these best practices has led to noticeable improvements. Since becoming EHCC-endorsed, Ms. Halinka reports fewer illnesses and absences among children and staff. To help inform the parents of Sunshine Kids Inc, Ms. Halinka has sent home printouts to parents of EHCC’s Crib Mattresses/Nap Mats FAQs and Household Chemicals Fact Sheet. Sunshine Kids, Inc – 84 has gone above and beyond in reducing environmental hazards and safeguarding the health of the children in their care.

Pam Halinka with the Eco-Healthy Child Care® Endorsement Certificate

Microplastics: Erosion of Convenience

kristiet_a0o04rjz on October 29, 2024

 

Microplastics: Erosion of Convenience

By Jessica Mauricio Price, MS, Eco-Healthy Child Care®

October 2024

Walking through my local “Have-Everything Mart,” I try to take stock of the number of items made of plastic. I quickly realize that the task is nonsensical. Passing by the plastic pools, inner tubes, pitchers, cups, and toys (all in the same aisle), I acknowledge that I am in over my head. And that doesn’t even count the plastic packaging around these items! It is easy to see just how pervasive plastic is in our society. But what about the plastics that we can’t see? 

The harder-to-see plastics are known as nanoplastics or microplastics. The difference between nanoplastics and microplastics lies primarily in their size. Microplastics are plastic particles with a size less than 5 millimeters (mm). Nanoplastics are plastic materials less than 0.001 mm to 1 nanometer (nm). For a frame of reference, a pencil eraser is about 5 mm, and a strand of human hair is about 0.04 mm wide. So, some nanoplastics range from 1/40th to 1/40000th the size of a strand of hair!

In general, there are two different categories of microplastics. 

  • Primary microplastics are small plastic pellets. These pellets are created and used for consumer products. They are added to different products, like facial scrubs, toothpaste, glitter, or makeup, to name a few.
  • Secondary microplastics are larger pieces of plastics that enter the environment and break down. So plastic bags, tires, water bottles, fabrics, furnishings, and the many other plastic products we use daily. These items slowly disintegrate by heat, wind, and daily use. 

All microplastics can eventually break down into nanoplastics. Unfortunately, plastic doesn’t ever decompose completely. It just breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces over time that continue to exist in the environment. As plastics get smaller and smaller, it becomes easier for them to move around the environment. Microplastics have been found in water sources, soil, plants, and animals. They are even found in our bodies. The study of microplastics is still relatively new. Scientists aren’t quite sure about the health effects that may occur due to our unintentional eating, breathing in, and drinking of microplastics. However, it appears likely that they will do some harm; scientists just aren’t certain of the extent. 

We aren’t going to be able to avoid microplastics or nanoplastics entirely. However, there are steps that we can take to reduce the amount of plastics that child care workers, children, and their families come into contact with.

  1. Take stock of the plastic that you see around you. Be mindful of what plastic you purchase. Reduce the amount of single-use plastics that you use (ie., disposable cutlery, slider storage bags, beverage bottles, and plastic plates and cups).
  2. When you can, purchase unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and meats. When food is processed, plastic residue is introduced into the food through the manufacturing process. 
  3. Use reusable bottles. During the production of disposable water bottles, chemicals are incorporated into the plastic. For example, phthalates are added to increase the flexibility of the bottles.These chemicals are released into the water especially if the water bottle is exposed to sunlight and heat. Stainless steel, glass, or ceramic bottles are a safer choice.
  4. Avoid personal hygiene products with microbeads–found in personal care products, cosmetics, face washes, and more 
  5. Avoid using glitter as it is a microplastic that often travels into landfills and waterways. 
  6. Find places near you to recycle plastic bottles and single-use grocery bags.
  7. Bring reusable bags when you go shopping. 
  8. Buy items with less plastic packaging.
  9. Use paper straws, bamboo cutlery, and compostable paper plates.
  10. Bring your own container for leftovers when you go out to eat. 
  11. Support plastic reduction policies in your region.

These actions can help reduce the amount of microplastics and nanoplastics that you come into contact with. But major structural changes need to be made in order for us to turn the tide on the plastic wave in the future. The European Union has restricted microplastics intentionally added to products. Here in America over 500 cities and 28 states had plastic bag legislation in effect as of 2021. 12 states even have single-use plastic bag bans! Companies are looking to make products out of bioplastics. Bioplastics are polymers made from plants, wood chips, and food waste, instead of fossil fuels. Research on bioplastics is ongoing.

While reducing the production and altering the way we use plastics will help, it doesn’t remove what is already in our environment. Thankfully scientists are already working hard to combat this issue! A group of scientists are transforming standard egg-white proteins into a complex filter in order to remove microplastics from seawater. 

We, as a society, have more work to do. We all want comfortable lives. But, we need to take steps to be more sustainable. In the end, we’re trying to do our best. No one is perfect! If each of us can start making small steps to change how we use plastic we can collectively make a difference.  We owe that to ourselves and the kiddos that rely on us.

Oh Me Oh My Melamine: Tips to Reduce Chemical Leaching from Plastic Plates

kristiet_a0o04rjz on October 29, 2024

 

Oh Me Oh My Melamine: Tips to Reduce Chemical Leaching from Plastic Plates

By Jessica Mauricio Price, MS, Eco-Healthy Child Care®

October 2024

Melamine is a man-made chemical used in various products. It is frequently used in children’s tableware and is a form of durable plastic resin. It does appear that melamine is useful, but is it safe? With certain precautions, melamine tableware can be safely used until preferable alternative options can be purchased. As with any plastic product, care must be taken to ensure that chemicals do not move, or leach, from the tableware to food or drinks. Here are some ways that you can reduce the amount of chemicals that may travel from your tableware into food or drinks:

  1. Never heat any type of plastic in a microwave oven or convection oven. When a plate or cup says it is microwave-safe, it does not mean it is safe for you. It simply means the plate or cup will not melt in the microwave (i.e., it is safe for the microwave). Heating plastic or melamine plates will increase the amount of chemicals that leach into your food or beverage. Heat damages the polymer matrix that is used in plastic tableware. This will cause more chemicals to be released over time.
  2. Avoid putting hot foods or liquids in plastic or melamine tableware. Placing piping hot foods on this tableware will also increase the chemicals that can migrate into your food or beverage. 
  3. Avoid putting acidic food or liquids into plastic or melamine tableware. Some types of acidic foods include tomato-based dishes and citrus juices. 
  4. Do not wash any plastic in the dishwasher. Over time, heating plastic will damage it and make it easier for chemicals to leech from tableware and into food. Also, avoid using UV sterilization on this type of tableware.
  5. Recycle or discard plastic or melamine tableware when scratched, chipped, or warped. Once the polymers break down due to use, more chemicals will leach out. Take this opportunity to purchase safer children’s tableware options. Safer tableware choices include stainless steel, ceramics, and glass items. However, be wary of vintage ceramic pottery and glass dishes, as some may have lead paint on them.

When used with these considerations, the likelihood that chemicals will move into food at levels above known health-effect limits can be lowered. If you care for a child with kidney function issues, it is especially important to follow these recommendations, or better yet, replace your plates with stainless steel (or glass and ceramics when the plate-throwing phase is over!). 

Children are often exposed to many more chemicals per pound of body weight as compared to adults. Children eat more food, drink more liquids, and breathe more air than adults. Doing what you can to reduce children’s exposure to chemicals is beneficial and proactive. Every little step you take to protect children today will help them grow into happier and healthier adults. 

If you found this information helpful, please donate to Children’s Environmental Health Network so we can continue to provide caretakers with scientific yet easy-to-read content.

10 Acre Wood Preschool-April 2024 Spotlight

kristiet_a0o04rjz on July 16, 2024

10 Acre Wood Preschool is a home-based child care facility in Lakeville, Minnesota that opened its doors in August 2019. In December 2022, 10 Acre Wood Preschool became an Eco-Healthy Child Care® (EHCC) endorsed facility. The facility is licensed to care for 12 children ages 3 to 5 years old.

Mrs. Baune learned about the EHCC program

through a professional group of other nature preschool educators. After reviewing the checklist she realized she was already implementing most of the requirements. Mrs. Baune was already tracking air quality levels to determine whether it was safe for children to go outside. By using safe chemicals for cleaning and other purposes, she was also protecting indoor air quality.

Mrs. Buaune is passionate about making sure that parts of the environment that she can control are as safe as possible for the children in her care. Seeking the endorsement was an easy choice to help her achieve her goal of providing a safer environment. While completing the checklist, Mrs. Baune found EHCC’s Plastics Factsheet helpful. This factsheet helped her check their current dishes and make sure they were all “safer plastics”. This is important to Mrs. Baune because certain plastics contain chemicals that are harmful to human health at low levels of exposure. Children are at greater risk due to chemical exposure. This is because their bodies are still developing, and they often insert plastic objects into their mouths. This increases their exposure to harmful chemicals.

Mrs. Baune implemented a few new environmental health best practices in her facility due to the EHCC program. She purchased a sign that says “NO IDLING. Turn off your engine and protect the air we breathe”. Mrs. Baune knows that car exhaust releases pollutants that are harmful to health.. Pollution from idling vehicles can quickly enter a childcare facility through open doors or windows. By testing her water, Mrs. Baune found that lead was present. 10 Acre Wood Preschool now uses a drinking water filter certified to remove lead.

By using the Eco-Healthy Fact Sheets and the AAP recommendations for eco-friendly dishes, Mrs. Baune was able to get a grant to cover the cost of recycling plastic used in the kitchen area. The grant also allowed her to receive stainless steel or PYREX to replace her plasticware. By collaborating with her technical assistant, Mrs. Baune now plans to test for lead in their school garden as well as their

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surrounding outdoor soil. Her goal is to make sure the soils are lead-free in the future, especially within their garden. Eco-Healthy Child Care® offers a FREE Lead-Safe Toolkit that offers a range of easy-to-follow steps and resources for identifying and mitigating lead hazards within child care facilities.

Mrs. Baune is also implementing eco-healthy practices that are not on the checklist. Her students are using compost in their raised garden beds rather than directly sowing it into the earth. Mrs. Baune also makes sure that her students get fresh air often throughout the school day.

Parents gave 10 Acre Wood Preschool positive feedback when they became EHCC-endorsed. The parents are thankful for Mrs. Baune being proactive and making thoughtful decisions. Additionally, 10 Acre Wood Preschool shares newsletters and blogs to increase parents’ awareness about eco-healthy practices.

Mrs. Baune recommends the EHCC endorsement program to fellow early care and learning providers. She shares that both the EHCC e-learning course and virtual technical assistance support are game changers. Mrs. Baune has learned a lot from the EHCC program. She is now inspired to go above and beyond the recommendations provided on EHCC’s checklist!

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Protecting Children and Child Care Providers from Lead in Water Hazards

kristiet_a0o04rjz on December 7, 2023

Protecting Children and Child Care Providers from Lead in Water Hazards

By Kathy Attar, Program Manager, Eco-Healthy Child Care®

January 2024

In November 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed strengthening the federal Lead and Copper Rule as a strategy to protect communities from lead in drinking water. 

Lead is Harmful to Children’s Health

Lead can be absorbed (“leached”) into drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead service lines, lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. 

There is no safe level of lead for children. Children are at high risk because their bodies are still developing, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to lead’s harmful effects. These effects, including brain damage and loss of IQ, occur at low levels of exposure to lead sources often found in homes and child care facilities.

What is a Lead Service Line?

The pipe connecting the water main to the interior plumbing in a building (e.g. home or child care facility) is called a lead service line. These pipes were often made of lead. The U.S. Congress banned the use of lead pipes in 1986.

Environmental Justice Concerns

Communities that are majority low-income, Black, Brown, or Indigenous have higher rates of children with lead poisoning. This is due to U.S. racist housing policies (e.g., redlining), which lead to Black, Brown, Indigenous, or low-income families living in older housing which is more likely to have lead service lines or other lead-containing pipes.

Key Updates to the Lead and Copper Rule

Under the updated Lead and Copper Rule, the EPA is proposing to:

  • achieve 100% lead pipe replacement within 10 years;
  • locate legacy lead pipes (pipes that were installed prior to the ban on lead) in communities throughout the U.S.;
  • lower the Lead Action Level from 15 to 10 parts per billion; and
  • require water utilities to bear the cost of the lead service line (LSL) replacements. 

Proposed Updates are a Good Start

Under the proposed Lead and Copper Rule, all water utilities would be required to regularly update their inventories, create a publicly available service line replacement plan, and identify the materials of all service lines of unknown material. 

EPA would also lower the lead action level from 15 µg/L to 10 µg/L. When a water system’s lead sampling exceeds the action level, the system would be required to inform the public and take action to reduce lead exposure while simultaneously working to replace all lead pipes. Lowering the lead action level from 15 µg/L to 10 µg/L is more health protective. However, it is important to note that  public health, community and environmental groups were advocating for an even lower standard (e.g., 1 µg/L). Ample research confirms there is no safe level of lead exposure. 

While EPA is requiring that water utilities cover the cost of the 100% lead service line replacements (LSLs) in 10 years, they do not mandate utilities cover the cost of replacing the portion of lead lines on private property. 

We know that replacing the full LSLs– including both the portion of the pipe that is on public and private property- is important for protecting communities from exposure to lead in water. Research into partial LSL replacement (e.g., replacing only the public portion of the line/pipe) demonstrates increased release of lead into drinking water due to disturbance of lead service lines. These lead particulates may enter directly into the water communities drink or become trapped in the faucet aerator and release lead over time. 

EPA’s Process for Finalizing a Regulation

Before EPA finalizes a regulation, it publishes a proposed rule. EPA is sharing the proposed Lead and Copper rule with the public to provide an opportunity for all stakeholders – from drinking water consumers to water systems to public health professionals – to share their feedback. The public will have an opportunity to comment and weigh in on the proposed Lead and Copper rule once it is formally published in the federal register which will occur in the beginning of 2024. 

Child care providers can learn more about reducing lead in water exposures in the FREE Lead-Safe Toolkit, available in English and Spanish.

Proteger a los niños y los proveedores de cuidado infantil contra los peligros del plomo en el agua

En noviembre de 2023, la Environmental Protection Agency EPA (Agencia de Protección Ambiental) propuso fortalecer la norma federal de plomo y cobro como estrategia para proteger a las comunidades del plomo en el agua potable.

El plomo es perjudicial para la salud infantil

El plomo puede absorberse (“inflirtarse”) en el agua potable cuando los materiales de plomería que contienen plomo se corroen. Las fuentes más comunes de plomo en el agua potable son las líneas de servicio de plomo, tuberías de plomo, grifos y accesorios.

No existe un nivel seguro de plomo para los niños. Los niños corren un alto riesgo porque sus cuerpos aún se están desarrollando y su cerebro y sistema nervioso son más sensibles a los efectos perjudicales del plomo. Estos efectos, incluido el daño cerebral y la pérdida del coeficiente intelectual, ocurren con niveles bajos de exposición a fuentes de plomo que a menudo se encuentran en hogares y entornos de cuidado infantil.

¿Qué es una línea de servicio de plomo?

La tubería que conecta la tubería principal de agua con las tuberías interiores de un edificio (por ejemplo, una casa o un entorno de cuidado infantil) se llama línea de servicio de plomo. Estas tuberías solían estar hechas de plomo. El Congreso de Estados Unidos prohibió el uso de tuberías de plomo en 1986.

Preocupación por la justicia medioambiental

Las comunidades que son mayoritariamente de bajos ingresos, negras, marrones o indígenas tienen tasas más altas de niños con envenenamiento por plomo. Esto se debe a las políticas de vivienda racistas de los EE. UU. (por ejemplo, líneas rojas), que llevan a que familias negras, marrones, indígenas o de bajos ingresos vivan en viviendas antiguas que tienen más probabilidades de tener líneas de servicio de plomo u otras tuberías que contienen plomo.

Actualizaciones a la norma de plomo y cobre

Bajo la Norma actualizada de plomo y cobre, la EPA propone:

  • lograr Reemplazo del 100% de las tuberías de plomo en un plazo de 10 años; 
  • localizar tuberías de plomo heredadas (tuberías que se instalaron antes de la prohibición del plomo) en comunidades de todo Estados Unidos;
  • bajar el nivel de acción del plomo de 15 a 10 partes por billón; y
  • exigir que las empresas de agua asuman el costo de los reemplazos de la línea de servicio de plomo.

Las actualizaciones propuestas son un buen comienzo

Según la Norma de plomo y cobre propuesta, todas las empresas de agua deberían actualizar periódicamente sus inventarios, crear un plan de reemplazo de líneas de servicio disponible públicamente e identificar los materiales de todas las líneas de servicio de material desconocido.

La EPA también reduciría el nivel de acción contra el plomo de 15 µg/L a 10 µg/L. Cuando el muestreo de plomo de un sistema de agua excede el nivel de acción, el sistema deberá informar al público y tomar medidas para reducir la exposición al plomo mientras trabaja simultáneamente para reemplazar todas las tuberías de plomo. Reducir el nivel de acción del plomo de 15 µg/L a 10 µg/L protege más la salud. Sin embargo, es importante señalar que los grupos de salud pública, comunitarios y ambientalistas abogaban por un estándar aún más bajo (por ejemplo, 1 µg/L). Amplias investigaciones confirman que no existe un nivel seguro de exposición al plomo.

Aunque la EPA exige que las empresas de agua cubran el costo de los reemplazos del 100% de las líneas de servicio (LSL) en 10 años, no exigen que las empresas de servicios públicos cubran el costo de reemplazar la parte de las líneas de servicio de plomo en propiedad privada.

Sabemos que reemplazar los LSL completos, incluida la parte de la tubería que se encuentra en propiedad pública y privada, es importante para proteger a las comunidades de la exposición al plomo en el agua. La investigación sobre el reemplazo parcial de LSL (por ejemplo, reemplazar solo la parte pública de la línea/tubería) demuestra un aumento de la liberación de plomo en el agua potable debido a la alteración de las líneas de servicio de plomo. Estas partículas de plomo pueden ingresar directamente al agua que beben las comunidades o quedar atrapadas en el aireador del grifo y liberar plomo con el tiempo.

Proceso de la EPA para finalizar un reglamento

Antes de finalizar un reglamento, la EPA publica una propuesta de reglamento. La EPA está compartiendo la norma propuesta sobre plomo y cobre con el público para brindar una oportunidad a todas las partes interesadas (desde los consumidores de agua potable hasta los sistemas de agua y los profesionales de la salud pública) de compartir sus comentarios. El público tendrá la oportunidad de comentar y opinar sobre la norma propuesta sobre el plomo y cobre una vez que se publique formalmente en el registro federal, lo que ocurrirá a principios de 2024.

Kit de herramientas para evitar el plomo, disponible en inglés y español.

Los proveedores de cuidado infantil pueden obtener más información sobre cómo reducir la exposición al plomo en el agua en la guía GRATUITA Kit de herramientas para evitar el plomo, disponible en inglés y español.

Energy Justice & Equity

kristiet_a0o04rjz on December 1, 2023

Energy Justice & Equity

By Eddy Daniel, Intern, Children’s Environmental Health Network

December 2023

Energy justice and equity guarantee all communities, regardless of race, location, and socioeconomic status, access to clean and affordable energy. Unfortunately, in the US, not all communities have this access. 

Injustices in energy systems in the US exist in several forms. Currently, Indigenous, Black, and Brown consumers and those with lower incomes tend to pay a higher percentage of their income towards their energy bills compared to White consumers. This is referred to as their “energy burden.” Energy insecurity is a measure of affordability (energy burden) and accessibility. Low-income households face an energy burden three and a half times higher than non-low-income households. They are also more likely to face energy insecurity and most likely to be exposed to pollution from the fossil fuel industry. Non-White households, older adults, and renters also tend to have higher energy burdens in the US.

Due to high energy costs, households may be forced to choose between maintaining adequate heating and cooling in their homes and affording necessities like food and healthcare. Also, as a result of systemic disinvestment of Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities and racist housing and zoning policies, these families are less likely to have access to energy-efficient housing or available resources that support reduced household energy use. Despite the presence of energy assistance programs, such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), significant numbers of households are not able to access the funds, and the funds are insufficient to help everyone who needs assistance. 

Fossil Fuels & Health

The US depends largely on fossil fuels, which are not clean energy sources. The oil and gas industry significantly contributes to air pollution, dumping 9 million tons of toxic pollutants into our air yearly. Black individuals are 75% more likely to live near toxic oil and gas facilities and be exposed to more of these pollutants. This exposure contributes to children’s health disparities. Black children are three times as likely to have asthma compared to White children. Safe and healthy environments for all children are critical to unleash their excellence.

Climate Change

Burning fossil fuels has also contributed to the current climate crisis. The impact of climate change can be seen through increases in heat waves, wildfires, and colder and harsher winters across the US. Due to climate change, energy-insecure households face power outages from increasing climate-related disasters or even preemptive shutoffs to prevent wildfires. Climate-related disasters can cause health issues and further deepen energy insecurity. 

There is a need to embrace clean energy and for just transitions to ensure equitable access for all communities. Switching to clean, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower is a major solution. Individuals can take action by educating more people to fill the knowledge gaps on renewable energy. They can also vote for leaders who support energy justice and demand existing political leaders invest in clean, renewable energy sources. Households can also take simple actions such as turning off lights and appliances when not in use to reduce energy consumption and opting for energy-smart appliances when possible.

Check out our resources on climate change, energy justice, and children’s health to learn more.

Child Care Providers + Climate Change: Action Steps

kristiet_a0o04rjz on November 9, 2023

Child Care Providers + Climate Change: Action Steps

By Kathy Attar, Program Manager, Eco-Healthy Child Care®

December 2023

It’s crucial that child care providers understand the profound consequences that climate change has on children. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events (i.e, hurricanes, wildfires), and air pollution can pose serious threats to children’s health and well-being, from respiratory problems to heat-related illnesses. Warmer temperatures are also associated with reductions in children’s academic success.

Children are uniquely vulnerable to climate change impacts because of their size, developing bodies, breathing at a faster rate, and spending more time outdoors.

But it’s not all gloom and doom! 

Child care providers can empower themselves with knowledge, and take action. That’s why Eco-Healthy Child Care® developed a brand-new Climate Change and Child Care FAQ, available in English and Spanish. This resource will help providers better understand the issue and discover strategies to combat the effects of climate change.

Outdoor Air Pollution

To address the increased outdoor air pollution–resulting from climate change–child care providers CAN:

Air Quality Index (AQI)

The AQI is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) index for reporting air quality. The AQI runs from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the larger the health concern. For example, an AQI value of 50 or below equals good air quality, while an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality. 

The AQI is also divided into six color-coded categories, with green and yellow representing the safest conditions, and orange, red, purple and maroon indicating levels that are progressively unsafe. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is unhealthy; people at most risk are certain sensitive groups, including: children, the elderly or people with health conditions. The AQI measures five pollutants: ground-level ozone, particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. 

Learn more action steps that child care providers can take to stem the health impacts of climate change in EHCC’s new  FAQ!

Proveedores de cuidado infantil + cambio climático: Pasos para la acción

Es fundamental que los proveedores de cuidado infantil comprendan las profundas consecuencias que el cambio climático tiene para los niños. El aumento de las temperaturas, fenómenos meteorológicos extremos (huracanes, incendios forestales), y la contaminación del aire pueden suponer graves amenazas para la salud y el bienestar de los niños, desde problemas respiratorios hasta enfermedades relacionadas con el calor. Las temperaturas más cálidas también se asocian a una reducción del éxito académico de los niños.

Los niños son especialmente vulnerables a los impactos del cambio climático debido a su tamaño, sus cuerpos estan en desarrollo, a que respiran a un ritmo más rápido y pasan más tiempo al aire libre.

¡Pero no todo es pesimismo! 

Los proveedores de cuidado infantil pueden empoderarse con conocimientos, y tomar acción. Es por eso que Eco-Healthy Child Care® desarrolló una nueva sección de Preguntas frecuentes sobre el cambio climático y el cuidado infantil, disponiblen ingles y español. Este recursoayudar a los proveedores a comprender mejor el problema y descubrirEstrategias para combatir los efectos del cambio climático.

Contaminación del aire exterior

Para abordar el aumento de la contaminación del aire exterior, resultante del cambio climático, los proveedores de cuidado infantil PUEDEN:

  • Evitar que los vehículo esten encendidos cerca de entornos de cuidado infantil (los gases de escape de los automóviles liberan contaminantes que dañan la salud y el medio ambiente).
  • Mantener en funcionamiento de calefacción, ventilación y aire acondicionado (HVAC).
  • Cierre las ventanas cuando hay mucho tráfico. 
  • Distanciar zonas de juego al aire libre lejos del tráfico.
  • Compruebe diaremente el índice de calidad del aire (ICA) en www.airnow.gov. En los días de Código Naranja, minimice las actividades extenuantes al aire libre o mantenga a los niños adentro. En los días en los que el índice de calidad del aire no sea perjudical para la salud (por ejemplo, rojo, morado o granate), mantenga a los niños adentro.

Índice de calidad del aire (AQI por sus siglas en inglés)

El AQI es el índice de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA por sus siglas en inglés) para informar sobre la calidad del aire. El AQI va de 0 a 500. Cuanto mayor sea el valor del AQI, mayor será el nivel de contaminación del aire exterior y mayor será la preocupación por la salud. Por ejemplo, un valor de AQI de 50 o menos equivale a una buena calidad del aire, mientras que un valor de AQI superior a 300 representa una calidad de aire peligrosa.

El AQI también se divide en seis categorías codificadas por colores: verde y amarillo representan las condiciones más seguras, y naranja, rojo, morado y granate indican niveles que son progresivamente inseguros. Cuando los valores del AQI están superior a 100, la calidad del aire no es saludable; las personas en mayor riesgo son ciertos grupos sensibles, incluido: niños, ancianos o personas con problemas de salud. El AQI mide cinco contaminantes: ozono a nivel a nivel de la tierra, partículas, monóxido de carbono, dióxido de nitrógeno y dióxido de azufre.

Conozca más medidas que los proveedores de cuidado infantil pueden tomar para frenar los impactos del cambio climático en la salud en el nuevo EHCC Preguntas más frecuentes!

Eco-Healthy + State Child Care Quality Programs

kristiet_a0o04rjz on October 25, 2023

Eco-Healthy + State Child Care Quality Programs

By Kathy Attar, Program Manager, Eco-Healthy Child Care®

November 2023

Eco-Healthy Child Care® (EHCC) has been working with states to increase environmental health information, education, and best practices within their child care systems. The goal is to protect children and child care providers from environmental hazards (e.g., pesticides, lead, and harmful chemicals in cleaning products) commonly found in early learning settings.

Eco-Healthy Endorsement

A key EHCC initiative  is our eco-healthy endorsement program for family and center-based child care facilities. EHCC-endorsed providers create and maintain child care facilities that are healthy and safe by reducing children’s exposure to environmental hazards. They reduce exposure by following low-cost and science-backed environmental health best practices on our checklist.

QRIS

Child care systems always seek strategies to incentivize best practices and improve quality. One strategy is the development of Quality Rating Improvement Systems (QRIS). A QRIS is offered in each state. They provide a non-regulatory framework for building high-quality early care and education programs. 

EHCC has successfully aligned eco-healthy best practices found on our checklist with a growing number of state QRIS programs.

  • Maryland incorporated the EHCC program into their state QRIS, Maryland EXCELS, by offering an “Eco-Friendly” badge for licensed child care facilities. (The EHCC endorsement is one of four environmental-health/nature-related certifications recognized by Maryland.)
  • Utah’s Child Care QRIS offers child care facilities two points for becoming EHCC-endorsed.
  • Pennsylvania’s QRIS Keystone Stars has a bonus point system and acknowledges providers’ work towards improving the environmental health of their facilities using EHCC’s e-learning course and checklist items. Becoming EHCC-endorsed is optional for child care providers.

Working with these state QRIS systems is an impactful strategy for raising awareness about environmental health AND reducing environmental hazards in child care facilities. 

Learn more about EHCC’s eco-healthy endorsement program for family and center-based providers, AND become endorsed today!

Eco-saludable + Programas estatales de calidad de cuidado infantil 

Eco-Healthy Child Care® (EHCC) ha estado trabajando con los estados para aumentar la información, la educación y las mejores prácticas sobre salud medioambiental dentro de sus sistemas de cuidado infantil. El objetivo es proteger a los niños y a los proveedores de cuidado infantil de los peligros ambientales (p. ej., pesticidas, plomo y sustancias químicas nocivas en los productos de limpieza) que se encuentran comúnmente en entornos de aprendizaje temprano.

Respaldo Eco-Saludable

Una de las principales iniciativas de EHCC es nuestro programa de respaldo eco-saludable para instalaciones de cuidado infantil familiares y en centros. Los proveedores respaldados por EHCC crean y mantienen instalaciones de cuidado infantil que sean saludables y seguras al reducir la exposición de los niños a los peligros medioambientales. Reducen la exposición al seguir las mejores prácticas de salud medioambiental de bajo costo y respaldadas por la ciencia en nuestra Lista de verificación.

QRIS

Los sistemas de cuidado infantil siempre buscan estrategias para incentivar las mejores prácticas y mejorar la calidad. Una estrategia es el desarrollo de Quality Rating Improvement Systems (QRIS) (Sistemas de mejora de la calificación de calidad). Cada estado ofrece QRIS. Proporcionan un marco no reglamentario para crear programas de educación y atención temprana de alta calidad.

EHCC ha logrado alinear las mejores prácticas ecosaludables que se encuentran en nuestra Lista de verificación con un número creciente de programas estatales de QRIS. 

  • Maryland incorporó el programa EHCC en su QRIS estatal, Maryland EXCELS, ofreciendo una insignia “Eco-Friendly” para instalaciones de cuidado infantil con licencia. (El Respaldo de EHCC es una de las cuatro certificaciones relacionadas con la salud medioambiental y la naturaleza reconocidas por Maryland).
  • El sistema QRIS de cuidado infantil de Utah ofrece a las instalaciones de cuidado infantil dos puntos por obtener el respaldo de EHCC.
  • QRIS de Pensilvania Keystone Stars tiene un sistema de puntos de bonificación y reconoce el trabajo de los proveedores para mejorar la salud medioambiental de sus instalaciones utilizando el curso de aprendizaje electrónico y los elementos de la lista de verificación de EHCC. Obtener el respaldo de EHCC es opcional para los proveedores de cuidado infantil.

Trabajar con estos sistemas QRIS estatales es una estrategia impactante para crear conciencia sobre la salud medioambiental Y reducir los peligros medioambientales en las instalaciones de cuidado infantil.

Aprender más acerca del Programa de respaldo eco-saludable de EHCC para proveedores de servicios familiares y de centros, ¡obtenga el respaldo hoy!

Child Care Providers–Test Your Water For Lead + State Funding Available

kristiet_a0o04rjz on September 27, 2023

Child Care Providers–Test Your Water For Lead + State Funding Available

By Kathy Attar, Program Manager, Eco-Healthy Child Care®

October 2023

Lead can leach into drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead service lines, lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. There is NO safe level of lead in a child’s blood. Low levels can cause brain damage, lowered IQ, and behavior problems.

Children Are More Vulnerable

Lead is particularly dangerous to children because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults, and their developing brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Babies and young children can also be more highly exposed to lead. Infants drinking formula are in danger if the formula is made with lead-contaminated water.

State Requirements for Lead in Water Testing in Child Care

Eleven states (California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington) and two cities (New York City and DC) currently require child care facilities to test their drinking water for lead contamination. 

The specific testing requirements differ for each of the 11 states–some may apply to child care centers, family child care, or both. All states currently only cover licensed facilities. 

State Funding for Lead in Water Testing

Most of these eleven states and two cities offer funding for child care facilities to test their water. A states’ drinking water testing program may focus on child cares serving low-income families (e.g., at least 50% of the children attending receive free and reduced lunch or are part of the Head Start program). Priority may also be given to older facilities that are more likely to contain lead pipe plumbing.

See our newly created spreadsheet for more information about the state’s lead-in water testing programs.

Lead-Safe Toolkit

Check out the FREE Lead-Safe Toolkit in English and Spanish for additional information and best practices on identifying and reducing lead in water in child care facilities.

Proveedores de cuidado infantil: analicen su agua para detectar plomo + fondos estatales disponibles

El plomo puede filtrarse en el agua potable cuando los materiales de plomería que contienen plomo se corroen. Las fuentes más comunes de plomo en el agua potable son las líneas de servicio de plomo, las tuberías de plomo, los grifos y los accesorios. NO existe un nivel seguro de plomo en la sangre de un niño. Los niveles bajos pueden causar daño cerebral, disminución del coeficiente intelectual y problemas de conducta.

Los niños son más vulnerables

El plomo es particularmente peligroso para los niños porque sus cuerpos en crecimiento absorben más plomo que los adultos y sus cerebros y sistemas nerviosos en desarrollo son más sensibles a los efectos dañinos del plomo. Los bebés y los niños pequeños también pueden estar más expuestos al plomo. Los bebés que beben fórmula corren peligro si la fórmula está hecha con agua contaminada con plomo.

Requisitos estatales para las pruebas de plomo en el agua en el cuidado infantile

Once estados (California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont y Washington) y dos ciudades (New York y DC) actualmente requieren que las instalaciones de cuidado infantil realicen pruebas de plomo en el agua potable para detectar la contaminación por plomo. 

Los requisitos de prueba específicos difieren para cada uno de los 11 estados; algunos pueden aplicarse a centros de cuidado infantil, cuidado infantil familiar o ambos. Actualmente, todos los estados solo cubren instalaciones con licencia. 

Financiamiento estatal para pruebas de plomo en el agua

La mayoría de estos once estados y dos ciudades ofrecen fondos para que las instalaciones de cuidado infantil analicen su agua. El programa de pruebas de agua potable de un estado puede centrarse en instalaciones de cuidado infantil que atienden a familias de bajos ingresos (por ejemplo, al menos el 50% de los niños que asisten reciben almuerzo gratis o a precio reducido o forman parte del programa Head Start). También se puede dar prioridad a las instalaciones más antiguas que tienen más probabilidades de contener tuberías de plomo.

Consulte nuestra hoja de cálculo recién creada para obtener más información sobre los programas de de pruebas de plomo en el agua del estado.

Kit de herramientas para evitar el plomo

Consulte el Kit de herramientas para evitar el plomo GRATUITO en inglés y español para obtener información adicional y las mejores prácticas para identificar y reducir el plomo en el agua en instalaciones de cuidado infantil.

New Proposed Federal Rule will Protect Children from Lead Poisoning

kristiet_a0o04rjz on August 24, 2023

New Proposed Federal Rule will Protect Children from Lead Poisoning

By Kathy Attar, Program Manager, Eco-Healthy Child Care®

September 2023

In July 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed strengthening requirements for removing lead-based paint dust in homes and child care facilities built before 1978.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule would require property owners or child care facilities to test for lead dust if a young child shows symptoms of lead exposure through a blood test or other similar measure. If a test confirms the presence of any level of lead dust, the property owners are required to pay for the cleanup. The rule would apply to facilities regularly used by children six or younger, including child care centers, family child care homes, and preschools. 

Under the proposed EPA rule, any amount of lead dust on floors and window sills would qualify as “hazardous” and require abatement. The current “hazardous” standard is ten micrograms per square foot for floors and 100 micrograms per square foot for window sills. 

If the EPA’s proposed rule is finalized, it would reduce exposure to lead for as many as 500,000 young children per year.

Lead is Harmful to Children’s Health

There is no safe level of lead for children. Lead can be found in the air, water, soil, and consumer products. Children are at high risk because their bodies are still developing, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to lead’s harmful effects. These effects, including brain damage and loss of IQ, occur at low levels of exposure to lead sources often found in homes and child care facilities.

Environmental Justice Concerns

Communities that are majority low-income, Black, Brown, or Indigenous have higher rates of children with lead poisoning. This is due to U.S. racist housing policies (e.g., redlining), which lead to Black, Brown, Indigenous, or low-income families living in older, dilapidated housing. 

Child Care Providers Need Support!

Protecting children and staff from lead hazards in child care settings is critical to providing safe and healthy spaces where children can thrive. Child care providers must also have support–financial and technical to eliminate lead paint and dust hazards in their facilities and homes. Without this type of support, providers are overburdened and under-resourced. North Carolina is an example of a state offering technical and financial support to child care providers to address lead hazards. The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program reimburses child care centers and homes for the full cost of lead paint mitigation activities.

Take Action!

The EPA needs to hear from child care professionals. We invite you to submit a comment in support of this health-protective rule, known as Reconsideration of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels. You can adapt text from this blog and submit it to the EPA.

Use this link to submit your comments to the EPA. Comments are due by October 2nd.

Note: Additional Tips for submitting comments to the EPA:

  • Be concise but support your claims.
  • Base your comments on scientific evidence and/or how you will be impacted.
  • There is no minimum or maximum length for an effective comment.

Nueva regla federal propuesta protegerá a los niños del envenenamiento por plomo

En julio de 2023, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental propuso fortalecer los requisitos para eliminar el polvo de pintura a base de plomo en hogares e instalaciones de cuidado infantil construidas antes de 1978.

La regla propuesta por la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) requeriría que los  dueños de propiedades o instalaciones de cuidado infantil realicen pruebas de polvo de plomo si un niño pequeño muestra síntomas de exposición al plomo a través de un análisis de sangre u otra medida similar. Si una prueba confirma la presencia de cualquier nivel de polvo de plomo, los propietarios deben pagar por la limpieza. La regla se aplicaría a las instalaciones utilizadas regularmente por niños de 6 años o menos, incluidos los centros de cuidado infantil, los hogares de cuidado infantil familiar y los centros preescolares. 

Bajo la regla propuesta por la EPA, cualquier cantidad de polvo de plomo en los pisos y alféizares de ventanas calificarían como “peligroso” y requerirían reducción. El estándar “peligroso” actual es de 10 microgramos por pie cuadrado para pisos y 100 microgramos por pie cuadrado para alféizares de ventanas.

Si se finaliza la regla propuesta por la EPA, se reduciría la exposición al plomo para hasta 500,000 niños pequeños por año.

El plomo es perjudicial para la salud de los niños

No existe un nivel seguro de plomo para los niños. El plomo se puede encontrar en el aire, el agua, la tierra y los productos de consumo. Los niños corren un alto riesgo porque sus cuerpos aún se están desarrollando y su cerebro y sistema nervioso son más sensibles a los efectos nocivos del plomo. Estos efectos, incluyendo daño cerebral y pérdida del coeficiente intelectual, ocurren en niveles bajos de exposición a fuentes de plomo que se encuentran a menudo en hogares y centros de cuidado infantil.

Preocupaciones de justicia ambiental

Las comunidades que son en su mayoría de bajos ingresos, negras, marrones o indígenas tienen tasas más altas de niños con envenenamiento por plomo. Esto se debe a las políticas de vivienda racistas de Estados Unidos (por ejemplo, la línea roja), que llevan a que familias negras, morenas, indígenas o de bajos ingresos vivan en viviendas antiguas y deterioradas.

¡Las proveedoras de cuidado infantil necesitan apoyo!

Proteger a los niños y al personal de los peligros del plomo en los entornos de cuidado infantil es fundamental para proporcionar espacios seguros y saludables donde los niños puedan prosperar. Los proveedores de cuidado infantil también deben contar con apoyo financiero y técnico para eliminar los peligros de la pintura y el polvo con plomo en sus instalaciones y hogares. Sin este tipo de apoyo, los proveedores están sobrecargados y carecen de recursos. Carolina del Norte es un ejemplo de estado que ofrece apoyo técnico y financiero a los proveedores de cuidado infantil para abordar los peligros del plomo. El programa Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids reembolsa a los centros de cuidado infantil y hogares el costo total de las actividades de mitigación de pintura con plomo.

¡Tomar acción!

La EPA necesita escuchar a los profesionales de cuidado infantil. Le invitamos a enviar un comentario en apoyo de esta regla de protección de salud, conocida como Reconsideration of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels (Reconsideración de las normas de peligro de plomo-polvo y niveles de liquidación posterior a la reducción de plomo-polvo). Puede adaptar el texto de este blog y enviarlo a la EPA.

Utilizar esta enlace para enviar sus comentarios a la EPA. Los comentarios deben enviarse antes del 2 de octubre.

Nota: Consejos adicionales para enviar comentarios a la EPA:

  • Sea conciso pero respalde sus afirmaciones.
  • Base sus comentarios en evidencia científica y/o en cómo se verá afectado.
  • No existe una longitud mínima o máxima para un comentario efectivo.

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Contact

  • Children's Environmental Health Network
  • 110 Maryland Avenue NE Suite 404
  • Washington D.C. 20002
  • Phone: (202) 543-4033
  • Email: cehn@cehn.org

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