Protecting Kids from Environmental Exposure

"Children’s rapid development during the fetal period through early childhood makes them more vulnerable to environmental exposure. Contact the nearest Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit to learn how to protect your child from exposure to health hazards in the environment.

What do these situations have in common?

• You're renovating an older home. While you're sanding window frames, some paint chips fall on the floor. Your toddler puts them in his mouth.
• You live near a former industrial site. Your child loves playing in the dirt—and you've caught her eating mud pies.
• You enjoy gardening and use pesticides to protect your garden. But you're pregnant and wonder if pesticide exposure could harm your unborn child.

If you guessed that in each situation, children are exposed to harmful substances in their environments, you're right!..."
Environmental Exposures