1. 1 Environmental Health In Childcare Facilities Prepared by: Joseph T. Ponessa, Ph.D Rutgers Cooperative Extension Copyright 2001 Rutgers Cooperative Extension

2. 2 Objectives Why be concerned? Compared to adults- Kids are more sensitive to pollutants Per body weight, kids eat, breathe more Toxins can disrupt important developmental steps Today’s goals: Discuss pollutants: Sources; Testing; Health effects Easy ways to fix

3. 3 Tobacco Smoke Don’t smoke Take it outside Never smoke around kids

4. 4 Combustion Products What are combustion products? Stove: - Don’t use stove as a heater !

5. 5 Combustion products (Cont’d) Furnace Service yearly, Use CO Detector

6. 6 Combustion Products, Space Heaters –Fuel Fired Burn hazard Fire hazard Pollution hazard SUMMARY: Use smoke, CO Detector Check furnace yearly Use stove properly Avoid space heaters

7. 7 Lead Poisoning Sources: Old paint Contaminated outdoor soils Many other sources Health Effects: High doses; Organ damage Convulsions, death Low doses; Delayed development Learning disorders

8. 8 Lead, Old Paint Indoors Fix peeling paint- Do not dry scrape or dry sand! Use damp method to mop, dust. Wash kids’ hands!

9. 9 Lead, Old Paint- Outdoors Cover bare soil (grass) Use doormat

10. 10 Asthma What is asthma? Learn signs of attack. Follow parent’s instructions

11. 11 Strained Breathing In Asthma Symptoms: Wheezing Coughing Prominent neck muscles

12. 12 Some Asthma Triggers Dust Dust mites Roaches Animal dander (Pets – dogs, cats, gerbils) Animal waste (rodents) Particles (smoke) Mold Exercise Excitement, emotions Heat, cold Flu, colds

13. 13 Asthma Attacks What to Do For mild attacks: Provide medication (Bronchodilators) according to parent/doctor instructions For severe attacks: Breathing hard, fast Nose opens wide Neck muscles show Fingernails gray, blue Medicine doesn’t help CALL 911 Get help right away!

14. 14 Mold: Caused by moisture problems. Solve these. Kill mold with dilute bleach. Large areas may cause serious health problems. Get professional help.

15. 15 Cleaning Products Read labels, follow directions. Don’t use more than necessary. Clean when kids are not present Don’t overuse disinfectants

16. 16 Pesticides Read labels, follow directions. Don’t use more than necessary. Think about other ways to control pests. (Integrated Pest Management- IPM)

17. 17 Radon Do radon test Fix high levels

18. 18 Creating a Healthy Environment for your Family Joseph T.Ponessa, Ph.D. Rutgers Cooperative Extension