Shirley Niemeyer, Extension Educator
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension
Young children have physical features that make them more at risk when it comes to environmental pollutants. Children are not little adults. Children are more vulnerable to many toxic environmental pollutants. They breathe more air, drink more water, and eat more food, pound for pound, than adults. They also have many behaviors, such as crawling and mouthing, greater amount of time spent outdoors and different diets than adults. These factors could increase their exposure to potential pollutants. Also, their body systems are still developing and are less able to metabolize, detoxify and excrete these pollutants compared to adults.
You can help children breath more easily, and be healthier and safer. Here are some simple steps to ensure all children have a healthy environment in which to develop and grown. These steps can also help to protect the environment.
Help children breath easily
Don't smoke and don't let others smoke in your home or car.
Keep your home as clean as possible. Dust, mold, certain household pests, secondhand smoke, and pet dander can trigger asthma attacks and allergies.
Walk, use bicycles, join or form carpools, and take public transportation. Limit motor vehicle idling.
Avoid open burning.
Protect children from lead poisoning
Get kids tested for lead by their doctor or health care provider.
Test your home for lead paint hazards if it was built before 1978.
Wash children's hands before they eat; wash bottles, pacifiers, and toys often.
Wet-clean floors and window sills to protect kids from dust and peeling paint contaminated with lead - especially in older homes.
Run cold water until it becomes as cold as it can get. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula.
Keep pesticides and other toxic chemicals away from children
Store food and trash in closed containers to keep pests from coming into your home.
Use baits and traps when you can; place baits and traps where kids can't get them.
Read product labels and follow directions.
Store pesticides and toxic chemicals where kids can't reach them - never put them in other containers that kids can mistake for food or drink.
Keep children, toys, and pets away when pesticides are applied; don't let them play in fields, orchards, and gardens after pesticides have been used for at least the time recommended on the pesticide label or longer. Learn about Intergrated Pest Management (IPM) techiniques from your local or area Cooperative Extension office.
Wash fruits and vegetables under running water before eating - peel them before eating, when possible.
Next week we will continue this discussion of ways to keep your children safe during these busy summer times.
This week make a list of these possible hazards and let your children do an analysis of their home and environment. Then discuss ways to eliminate the ones they found.
