EPA Releases 2006 Children’s Environmental Health Report

Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the 2006 Children’s Environmental Health Report. Recognizing children’s unique vulnerability to environmental exposures, the report openly acknowledges that “There are up to 80,000 chemicals registered for manufacturers in the United States, and only a fraction of these have been tested for their effects on human health. Children are exposed to chemicals everyday, as they are ubiquitous.”
 
This, in the EPA’s own words, highlights the need for Congress and Senate to fund the National Children’s Study (NCS). Funding for this study is in serious jeopardy. President Bush has signaled his desire to cancel the study and there is no money for the NCS in his Fiscal Year 2007 budget.

House and Senate leaders must save this critical program and uphold the federal government’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of our nation’s children by allocating $69 million for the NCS in FY2007 appropriations. This landmark study will examine the effect of environmental factors on the health and development of more than 100,000 children across the U.S., following them from before birth until age 21 and will provide critical information to stop and reverse the rising incidence of childhood diseases related to chemicals in the environment. 

PSR continues to be at the forefront of protecting children’s environmental health. Featured in EPA’s report is the Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility's Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit. The Toolkit offers health professionals a valuable clinical tool for incorporating environmental health information into their practice and will be available on our website shortly. 

Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit