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THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S CHILDREN'S HEALTH PROGRAMS: REVIEW OF PROGRESS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE DIRECTION
Citation:
McMaster, S AND K. MusgroveWesley. THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S CHILDREN'S HEALTH PROGRAMS: REVIEW OF PROGRESS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE DIRECTION. Presented at American College of Toxicology Meeting, Washington, DC, November 1-5, 2003.
Description:
While trend data indicate aggregate levels of environmental pollution in the United States is decreasing, the health effects associated with such pollution in children appear to be increasing. The rising recognition that behavioral, developmental, and metabolic differences in children may enhance their vulnerability to environmental pollution led the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to collaborate with the governments of Canada and Mexico on national and international research and policies that address children's environmental health. EPA contributed to three recently released (2003) reports pertaining to children's health and the environment: Recommendations for the Development of Children's Health and the Environment Indicators in North America (RDCHEI), America's Children and the Environment (ACE), and Border 2012: U.S.-Mexico Environmental Program (Border 2012). Respectively, these reports are the first such joint efforts, using biologic indicators and markers, to identify international, national, and cross-border regional trends in children's environmental health, and to propose further research and policy considerations. However inconsistencies among these reports in terminology, environmental and health indicator development criteria, and approaches to exposure assessment may hinder progress in children's environmental health research. This document recommends a common glossary, the addition of non-toxicant based research approaches, and improved collaboration among these programs to enhance EPA efficacy in understanding and protecting the health of children.