Creating Healthy Indoor Environments for Healthy Children Ironbound Community Corporation Katherine J. Seikel EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection April 17, 2012

This is what environment looks like 2

Children Are Not Little Adults 3

Body Differences Drink, eat, and breathe more than adults, as based on body weight Children are rapidly growing and developing Less developed natural defenses More skin per pound and less protective skin Chemicals in the womb and in breast milk 4

Natural explorers Spend more time close or on the ground and floors Spend more time outdoors than adults Mouthing behaviors Place dirty fingers and objects in their mouth Ingest dirt and dust, which may be contaminated Behavioral Differences 5

Toxic Chemicals A child born in America today will grow up exposed to more chemicals than a child from any other generation in our history. A 2005 study found 287 different chemicals in the cord blood of 10 newborn babies – chemicals from pesticides, fast food packaging, coal and gasoline emissions, and trash incineration. A child born in America today will grow up exposed to more chemicals than a child from any other generation in our history. A 2005 study found 287 different chemicals in the cord blood of 10 newborn babies – chemicals from pesticides, fast food packaging, coal and gasoline emissions, and trash incineration. 80,000 chemicals are used by consumers and industry 300 are regulated (200 are suspected neurotoxicants, 100 are thought to affect nervous system) 5 of these chemicals are banned 6

Cleaners and other household chemicals Pests Pesticides Secondhand smoke Mold Lead Mercury Exposure Health condition Outcome Absenteeism Poor school performance Increased health-care costs Family disruption Lowered lifetime earnings Long-term Impact Environments Shape Outcomes 7

Health Disparities All children are susceptible to negative outcomes as a result of environmental exposures, but they disproportionately effect minorities and children living below the poverty level ObesityCancerBrain DisordersAsthma 8

Asthma: Outcomes and Disparities 7 million kids suffer from asthma 2 million emergency room visits annually Black children are two times as likely to be hospitalized, four times as likely to die from asthma as white children 9

Brain Disorders: Outcomes and Disparities Exposure to certain chemicals can lead to ADHD, lowered IQ, autism spectrum disorders, behavioral disorders and/or developmental delays 12 million U.S. children, or 17%, have learning or behavioral disabilities Chemical exposures play a role in at least 1 in 4 cases of behavioral or developmental disorders ADHD is more common in children below the poverty level 10

Obesity: Outcomes and Disparities Obesity in children has tripled in the last thirty years Obesity in children 21.2% of Hispanic children 24.3% of Black non-Hispanic children 14% of White non-Hispanic children Research shows that some chemicals can lead to obesity 11

Cancer: Outcomes and Disparities Cancer : second cause of death among children (ages years of age) Approximately 10,400 U.S children under age 15 diagnosed with cancer in 2007 About 1,545 of these will die from the disease Exposure early in life to cancer-causing chemicals may not result in cancer until many years later 12

The Importance of Healthy Housing -- (and what you can do to promote it) 13

Housing conditions have an important impact on public health. Most people spend 80% to 90% of their time indoors.

The connection between health and the dwelling of the population is one of the most important that exists. Florence Nightingale

There are more than 6 million housing units with severe or moderate deficiencies in the United States.

Residents of substandard housing are at increased risk for exposure to: Lead Carbon Monoxide Mold Cockroaches Dust Mites Mice Rats Pesticide Residues Tobacco Smoke Combustion Gases Radon Rat Bites Fires Falls

Children in substandard housing are more likely to have elevated blood lead levels and to have ever been diagnosed with asthma.

Critical need to prevent the public health problems that stem from these units. National Healthy Home Strategy for Action to be released in June 2012.

What is Healthy Housing? Healthy Housing is Designed, Constructed, Maintained, and Rehabilitated in a manner that is conducive to good occupant health.

Dry Moisture Mold Structural Damage Allergies Asthma Pest-Free Pests Pesticides Cockroaches Dust Mites Mice Rats Integrated Pest Management Contaminant Free Lead-based paint Chemicals Household products Pesticides Solvents Clean Carpets Dust Dirt Clutter Food Storage and Preparation Pets Safe Smoke detector Carbon monoxide Radon Fire Safety Falls Home safety Space heaters Ventilated Combustion Appliances Radon Smoking Indoor air quality Maintained Roof Foundation Gutters Access for Pests Furnace & Filters Healthy Homes

Start with the People

Wanabee-Healthy Family

Likes to garden Bedroom on the second floor; wood floors; Uses a space heater and throw rugs Mild Respiratory Disease Noticing a little arthritis – otherwise good health

Healthy Expecting baby in 6 months Good Prenatal Care Avoid exposures to environmental hazards Healthy Works part-time outside the home Doesn’t Smoke Exercises

Smokes cigarettes Works at a Garden Center Exercises Healthy

Lives in a pre Home Lead Poisoning? Less active than usual Asthma attacks are becoming more frequent 5 years old Asthma Tobacco Smoke? Carpeting? Dust Mites? Moisture? Mold? Mice? Pesticides? Cleaning Products? VOCs Cockroaches? Triggers?

2 Years Old Walked early – very mobile; Inquisitive (Mom and Dad have had to call Poison Control twice!) Lives in a pre Home Gates Childproofing Proper storage of Household Products, Medicine Adam’s Small Toys Lead Poisoning?

Tracks dirt into House Can track-in pesticide residue Pal’s food is attractive to pests

Why a Holistic Approach?

Moisture / Water Intrusion Mold Asthma and Allergy Exacerbation

Structural Damage Moisture / Water Intrusion

Structural Damage Pests Lead Poisoning Fire Injuries

Asthma and Allergy Exacerbation Pests Pesticide

Moisture Mold Structural Damage Asthma and Allergy Exacerbation Structural Damage Asthma and Allergy Exacerbation Mold Asthma and Allergy Exacerbation Mold Asthma and Allergy Exacerbation

For more information: Environmental Protection Agency National Healthy Homes Training Center and Network Soon to come: