from the
play

from the Child Care Setting Dena'inaq enen'aq' gheshtnu ch'q'u - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Eliminating Toxic Chemicals from the Child Care Setting Dena'inaq enen'aq' gheshtnu ch'q'u yeshdu. (Dena'ina) I live and work on the land of the Denaina. (English) Our mission: To assure justice by advocating for environmental and


  1. Eliminating Toxic Chemicals from the Child Care Setting Dena'inaq ełnen'aq' gheshtnu ch'q'u yeshdu. (Dena'ina) I live and work on the land of the Dena’ina. (English)

  2. Our mission: To assure justice by advocating for environmental and community health. We believe everyone has a right to clean air, clean water, and toxic-free food.

  3. Health & Environmental Concerns ❖ P ersistent ❖ C arcinogens ❖ B ioaccumulative ❖ M utagens ❖ T oxic ❖ R eproductive Toxicants

  4. Arctic Peoples at Risk ● Long Range Transport: Global transport into the Arctic ● Alaskans spend more time spent indoors during long cold winters ● We’re also exposed through our reliance on traditional foods ● +700 active and abandoned military sites in Alaska — Many co-located with Alaska Native villages

  5. Birth Defects in Alaska ▪ Data from the Alaska Birth Defects Registry shows: Birth defects in Alaska are twice as high as in the United States as a whole ▪ Alaska Native infants have twice the risk of birth defects as white infants born in Alaska Some of these effects can be passed onto future generations “…even independent of differences in cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and maternal age — which is a well-known risk factor for birth defects — Alaska Natives still have an increased risk ... that we don't really know how to explain." Dr. Bradford Gessner, Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology unit

  6. How the Chemicals Enter the Body ● Skin absorption ● Ingestion ● Inhalation ● Skin Contact ● Placenta ● Breast milk

  7. Children Are Not “Little Adults”

  8. Reproductive Health & the Environment ● Chemicals can harm the reproductive system, pregnancies, and development ● Nursing babies at the top of the food chain ● Babies are born pre-polluted (EWG study 2014) ● Children’s unique vulnerability and critical windows “…exposure to low -level contaminants may be subtly undermining our ability to reproduce.” Environmental Health Perspectives , journal of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 2006

  9. The “Hazardous Handful” VOC’s (including Formaldehyde) Antimicrobials PVC Fluorinated Stain Treatments Flame Retardants

  10. ▪ Most Chemicals in the Toxic Substances U.S. are Not Regulated ▪ 62,000 chemicals in Control Act commerce “grandfathered” (TSCA) • EPA has regulated only five chemicals - 2,000 new chemicals 2016 Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21 st Century Act enter market each year updates TSCA: • No environmental or ▪ Enforceable deadlines and chemical health data required review schedules • 85% lack data on ▪ Dedicated funding from fees paid by chemical health the industry effects ▪ Decisions to regulate must reflect health and environmental safety ▪ Burden of proof on EPA to ▪ Populations that are prove chemical is harmful disproportionately impacted must be protected ▪ Removes barriers for EPA to investigate and regulate chemicals

  11. Flame Retardants Flame retardants are ▪ chemicals that are designed to resist or inhibit the spread of fire. No fire safety benefit ▪ shown in furniture or children’s products http://media.apps.chicagotribune.com/flames/results.html

  12. Where are flame retardants? ▪ Kid’s foam products (nap mats, car seats, crib mattresses, gym mats, changing pads, etc.) ▪ Infant walkers, crib wedges, rockers ▪ Building insulation and carpet padding ▪ Foam furniture and draperies ▪ Toys ▪ Fatty foods ▪ Household dust and dryer lint

  13. Health effects associated with Flame Retardants Neurodevelopmental Effects Increased risk Decreased memory and learning of cancer and Reduced IQ diabetes Hyperactivity Hormone Disruption Alters Hormone levels Increased risk of obesity Early onset of puberty Reproductive Toxicant Decreased fertility (in women and men) Decreased birth weight

  14. AO 2019-15 (Toxic-Free Children Ordinance) Phases-out four classes of toxic and ineffective flame retardants in children’s products, mattresses, and home furniture

  15. Study of FRs in Child Care Settings W.A.Stubbings, et al. 2018 This peer-reviewed study found that removing a single source of flame retardants — nap mats — from childcares lowers levels of the chemicals in dust by up to 90%. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0 269749118302690

  16. Healthier Nap Mat options Avoid Brands w/ FRs ☹ SCR 4 Kids, Safety 1st (made by Venture Products ☺ LLC) Chemicals/Materials to Avoid ▪ Vinyl ▪ Flame retardants ▪ Antimicrobial & water resistant treatments ▪ Phthalates Tip: - Replace torn nap mats with exposed foam http://www.ceh.org/safernapmats /

  17. Look for the “X” ● Avoid polyurethane foam ● Avoid old TB117 label Courtesy of the San Francisco Department of Environment

  18. Antimicrobials No evidence that these provide actual benefit over washing with regular soap and warm water: ● Some are linked with hormone problems, reproductive changes and possible increased allergies in kids. ● Can create bacteria resistant to antibiotics Avoid: products with added or built-in antimicrobial chemicals. Example: triclosan and triclocarban Ted Schettler, MD, MPH (Case- Western Reserve University, Harvard School of Public Health)

  19. Fluorinated Compounds (stain and water resistant treatments) ▪ PFAS, i.e.Teflon, nicknamed the ‘Forever Chemicals’ ▪ Migrates out of products Associated Health Issues: - Carcinogen - Liver and kidney damage - Reproductive harm - Lower birth weight and birth defects Found in: • Non-stick Cookware, Food packaging, Clothing and fabrics, Certain medical supplies Avoid: Products that are labeled or marketed as water, grease, and stain proof or resistant

  20. Phthalates ▪ A family of industrial chemicals that soften and add flexibility to plastics ▪ “Fragrance” products Health Effects: ▪ Endocrine system disruption ▪ Altered development of genitals and fertility ▪ Linked with obesity ▪ May raise risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, preterm birth and low birthweight ▪ Worsening of allergy and asthma symptoms ▪ Altered toddler behavior Avoid: Fragrance and soft plastics 20

  21. Volatile Organic Compounds Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are compounds that easily become vapors or gases. Health Effects: ● Irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract ● Headaches, dizziness, Memory problems, nausea, fatigue ● Damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system ● Cancer To reduce exposure: Have good ventilation, avoid cigarette smoke, avoid pesticides and solvents, use low-VOC paints and furnishings Photo courtesy of Perkins+Will when available.

  22. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)/Vinyl Also known as vinyl, used in plastics ▪ Problematic throughout life cycle: manufacture, use and end-of-life ▪ Often includes other toxic chemicals, i.e. Pthalates Associated Health Issues: ▪ Neurodevelopmental harm ▪ Endocrine system disruption ▪ Birth defects ▪ Cancer ▪ Asthma, lung problems To reduce exposure: - Avoid products with PVC by looking for the symbol 3 - Buy wood, stainless steel, organic cotton, wool products

  23. Toys ● Children often put toys in their mouths, so it is important to avoid ones containing harmful chemicals: ● Avoid: ○ Toys with #3 symbol ○ Costume jewelry ● Look for: ○ Unpainted wood toys ○ Toys made from natural materials (i.e. cotton, wool) ○ Safer plastics (#4, #5)

  24. Watch out for advertisements ▪ Even cleaners advertised as “natural,” “green”, or “organic” — does not mean they’re safe --may be hazardous. ▪ — Companies are not required to list ingredients on product labels. ▪ — You can trust products that are green seal certified Check out: http://www.healthyschools.org/ 24

  25. Things You Can Do Purchasing Matters: Avoid purchasing products with ▪ chemicals of concern Use Product Inventory tool ▪ ▪ Make your own cleaning products Follow Tips to Reduce Exposure ▪ Share this information with staff and families ▪ Call or email ACAT with further questions ▪

  26. Reduce Your Exposure ▪ Wash your hands and children’s hands frequently - esp. before eating or handling dust ▪ Vacuum with a HEPA filter and wet mop to minimize dust ▪ Replace torn foam products and scratched non-stick pans ▪ Open a window regularly for fresh air ▪ Avoid greasy packaged food ▪ Don’t microwave food in plastic containers

  27. Visit Us! Contact info Pam Miller, Executive Director pamela@akaction.org Ext.203 Su Chon, Civic Engagement Coordinator su.c@akaction.org Ext.204 Protecting Health, Assuring Justice 1225 E. International Airport Rd., suite 220 (907) 222-7714 www.akaction.org

  28. 28

  29. Mold Cleaning Wear protective gloves and a dust mask. Ventilate the area: open windows and turn on ceiling and exhaust fans. Vinegar option Clean affected areas with soap and water, then apply a solution of one part vinegar and one part water, and wipe clean. Hydrogen peroxide option Mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Wait at least one hour before rinsing.

Recommend


More recommend