There have been significant increases in the incidence of certain childhood illnesses, especially asthma, which appears to be aggravated by air pollution and other environmental contaminants. Persistent and toxic environmental contaminants, including lead and mercury, continue to pose significant neurological and developmental threats to children in the Northeast. Schools, health care organizations, businesses, communities, and parents can undertake a number of preventive measures to address environmental health threats to children. Schools and other institutions can pro-actively purchase environmentally preferable materials and products to eliminate the use of those that can cause potential harm. Health care providers can educate their patients and parents about environmental health threats, especially lead and mercury, and preventive steps to safeguard children from exposure.
Businesses can reduce their use of hazardous materials and generation of hazardous waste.
Communities can adopt integrated pest management practices to eliminate and reduce the use of pesticides and can alert parents when pesticide spraying is scheduled for public areas to minimize children s exposure. Everyone can reduce asthma producing air pollution by driving their cars less and using cleaner forms of public transportation.