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Improving Kids' Environment Advocates for Children's Environmental Health
Children’s Environmental Health Issues in Indiana March 2009 Edition
A note about the newsletter IKE currently publishes two quarterly newsletters: the Lead Safe and Healthy Homes newsletter and the Children’s Environmental Health Newsletter. Most of the people who receive one, receive the other, and there is considerable overlap in information. When we surveyed our readers last summer, we learned that most of you would be happy to see the newsletters combined, so that is what we will do. This is the first issue of the new, and improved, Improving Kids’ Environment Children’s Environmental Health Newsletter. As in the past, the newsletter will be distributed free of charge by email or fax to anyone who requests it. Contact the editor, Janet McCabe, at mccabe@ikecoalition.org or 317-902-3610 if you would like to get on or off the distribution list, contribute an article, help with editing, or have any other suggestions. All editions are available on IKE’s web page at www.ikecoalition.org/publications.htm
Top Stories and IKE Highlights
Indiana Cities Receive Stimulus Dollars for Lead Remediation As a result of funding through the federal stimulus bill, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced that it will be awarding significant funds to 3 Indiana counties and one city that applied for HUD grants last year. Congratulations to Marion and St. Joseph Counties, which will be getting $874,565 and $552,388 respectively in Healthy Homes Demonstration grants and Gary and Elkhart County, which will each be getting $3,000,000 in Lead Hazard Control grants!
IDEM Takes Over Air Pollution Control Work from Indiana’s Local Air Agencies In December, IDEM notified the local air pollution control agencies in Anderson, Evansville, Gary, Hammond, Indianapolis, and Terre Haute that it was cancelling the contracts by which those agencies provide local air quality protection and public education services. For decades, these local agencies have worked under state contracts using federal pass-through money and air permit fees to provide air pollution control services. Their duties have included responding to citizen complaints about air quality issues such as open burning, odors and fugitive dust; conducting inspections and providing technical assistance to local businesses; monitoring air quality; and educating the public about health issues related to air quality and what they can do to improve air quality locally. IKE and others are very concerned that cancelling the local air contracts will mean less attention to local air quality issues, slower response to complaints, less public education and less opportunity for citizens and local government to be involved in air quality planning, which affects both public health and local economic development. Any local funding that these cities are able to continue to focus on this issue will likely be inadequate to keep public protection at its current level. IKE and others are also very concerned that IDEM made this decision unilaterally, with no opportunity for public discussion. For more information, read IKE’s statement on the issue at www.ikecoalition.org/documents/Local_Air_Agencies_12-2-08.pdf or contact Janet at mccabe@ikecoalition.org. And from now on, if you live in one of the six cities and have an air quality complaint, you should contact IDEM at (800) 451-6027 ext.24464 or www.in.gov/idem/5274.htm.
More than 160 attended Third Green Congregations Workshop on January 31 Indiana’s faith communities are eager to make a difference both locally and globally. A record number of people, representing more than 60 congregations from as far away as Shelby and Plymouth attended a workshop to learn about greening their communities and their congregations. How to become more energy efficient and how to share resources with one another were two of the key topics. Workshop materials and other information are available at www.ikecoalition.org/Green_Sanctuary/Green_Sanctuary.htm.
Children’s Health and Environmental Bills—Where are We Mid-Session? The end of February marked the half-way point of the 2009 legislative session and the deadline for bills to be approved by their house of origin. The following bills that affect children’s health and the environment passed out of the Senate and will now be considered by the House: · SB 202—transfers responsibility for the lead-based paint licensing program from IDEM to ISDH. Passage of this bill by the House is critical for Indiana to retain oversight of the lead-based paint licensing program and the federal funds to administer it. · SB 440—directs ISDH to adopt rules concerning indoor air quality inspections in schools and provide schools with a best practices manual on indoor air quality issues, with the assistance of an expert panel. This bill enhances the existing law that requires ISDH to inspect schools for indoor air quality issues upon receipt of a complaint. · SB 221—establishes a “good character” requirement for companies seeking permits to operate confined animal feeding operations.
The following bills passed out of the House and will now be considered by the Senate: · HB 1660—allows the formation of regional transportation districts to support development of transit programs, including funding mechanisms · HB 1348—requires Indiana’s building code to be updated to require new buildings to be more energy efficient · HB 1347—makes it more feasible for homeowners and businesses to generate energy on-site, through renewable programs such as solar and wind power, and sell excess power back to the grid · HB 1589—requires manufacturers of electronics to safely recycle a certain percentage of e-waste (computers, TVs, cell phones, etc.) to ensure that it does not go to landfills or overseas · HB 1495—prohibits lead and certain other toxic substances in toys and child care articles sold in Indiana.
For information about these and other environmental legislation, including the several bills relating to renewable energy, visit www.hecweb.org/content.cfm?n=legislate2009. For bill language, committee schedules and other information about the General Assembly, go to the website at www.in.gov/legislative/.
Administrative rules drive environmental and health policy in Indiana. IKE monitors rulemaking by IDEM, ISDH, the Pesticide Review Board, and other agencies where children’s health may be affected. In this newsletter, we will highlight the most significant or active. You can always contact IKE for more information about these or other rulemakings.
ISDH Lead Poisoning Rules Revisions Close to Final ISDH’s rulemaking to update the case management rules and to add provisions to require training for paint store clerks and better information about the dangers of working with old paint to consumers has been through its first hearing and is expected to be final by the end of the summer.
Environmental Impact Review Rules at IDEM Boards IDEM’s proposed revisions to the environmental impact review rules are now being presented to the environmental boards for proposal. The Water Board voted for preliminary adoption of the rule at their February meeting; the Solid Waste and Air Boards will consider it at their March and April meetings, respectively. Several expressed concern at the Water Board that the rule does not specify a process for public review or comment on environmental impact statements, which would likely require a statutory change.
Federal Court overturns USEPA’s Fine Particle Air Health Standard On February 24, 2009, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals directed USEPA to reconsider the annual air quality health standard for fine particle pollution. The Court found that USEPA had not adequately explained how its decision in 2006 to keep the annual air health standard for fine particles at 15 μg/m3 would “protect the public health with an adequate margin of the safety.” Many health and environmental advocates argued that health data are clear that there are the health impacts at levels lower than 15 μg/m3 and that the standard should be set no higher than 14 μg/m3. PM2.5 levels exceed 14 μg/m3 in Central Indiana and Clark County. ISDH Publishes Asthma Resource Guide InJAC's Indiana Asthma Resource Guide is now available to connect Hoosiers with resources to learn more about asthma and the asthma services available in the community. Find it at www.in.gov/isdh/files/Asthma_Resource_Guide_August_2008(1).pdf.
Indiana Summit on Water and Human Health Set for May 15, 2009. The second Indiana Summit on Environmental Health will be held on May 15, 2009 at the IUPUI Campus Center. The focus of the summit will be issues related to water quality. The Summit is being organized by the IUPUI Department of Earth Sciences, Center for Earth and Environmental Science, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and Center for Environmental Health, along with Improving Kids’ Environment, the US Geologic Survey, and the Hoosier Environmental Council. If you have questions, please contact Indra Frank at indfrank@comcast.net. Or find more information at www.ikecoalition.org/Environmental_Summit_2009/.
Mercury in Indiana’s Water and Air.
The US Geologic Survey has
published two reports on mercury in Indiana’s environment:
Total Mercury and Methylmercury in Indiana Streams, August 2004-September 2006,
and
Mercury in Precipitation in Indiana, January 2004-December 2005.
Preparing for EPA’s Renovation, Remodeling and Painting Rule Indiana agencies are starting to gear up for implementation of the federal RRP rule, which will require contractors disturbing paint in pre-1978 homes to be trained in basic lead safety and use lead safe work practices by March 2010. Here are some highlights:
February Deadline for Children’s Safe Products Law Leads to Much Confusion Legislation passed by Congress in 2008 bans lead from children’s products, directs CPSC to set up a product hazards database and increases its budget, and bans certain phthalates in children's toys. Testing and certification will now be required of potentially thousands of products. February 10 was the deadline for several provisions in the law and the email has been buzzing with questions and concerns about how the law will affect a variety of items such as books, second-hand clothing sold at stores such as Goodwill and church rummage sales. The CPSC has issued a Guidance for Small Businesses, Resellers, Crafters and Charities, which may be downloaded here: www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/smbus/cpsiasbguide.html. You can also sign up to receive email updates from the agency. If you have a specific question, send it to IKE (mccabe@ikecoalition.org) and we’ll try to find the answer for you.
Indiana Lead Advisory Council The Council is continuing its discussions of the various issues identified in the 2008 Indiana lead law. Recent topics have included building capacity for handling the RRP rule, training needs and, most recently, architectural salvage stores. Minutes of the meetings are posted at www.ikecoalition.org/SEA143/index.htm.
New Research on Childhood Lead Poisoning Two articles recently published in Environmental Health Perspectives on lead poisoning are worth checking out: “U.S. Children's Exposure to Residential Dust Lead, 1999-2004: I. Housing and Demographic Factors” and “U.S. Children's Exposure to Residential Dust Lead, 1999-2004: II. The Contribution of Lead-contaminated Dust to Children's Blood Lead Levels” are available at http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2008/11917/abstract.html and http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2008/11918/abstract.html
Hang on to those blue Protect Your Family from Lead pamphlets! In case you were confused……Although contractors (and landlords who are having work done at their rental units) must now give USEPA’s new Renovate Right pamphlet to residents, landlords should still be giving the Protect Your Family from Lead pamphlet to prospective tenants.
Five Star Childcare Program Continues to Encourage Providers to Go Above and Beyond to Protect Children IDEM’s Five Star Childcare program continues to attract childcare centers that have made providing a safe and healthy environment top priority. In January, 11 new facilities earned one, three or five stars. A couple of testimonials:
IDEM Revises Compliance/Enforcement Guidance On March 2, IDEM issued revised guidance that explains when the agency will take enforcement action and what kind of action it will take, depending on the type of violation (available at www.in.gov/idem/files/MP-005-R1-NPD.pdf). Comments will be due in mid-April, and the policy will be effective 30 days after presentation to the Air, Water and Solid Waste Boards.
IDEM Publishes Citizen Guide to Participation IDEM has just published on its website an updated Citizen Guide to public participation. The purpose of the guide is to inform Hoosiers about IDEM’s role as Indiana’s environmental agency and help the public know how to take part in decision-making processes. The guide covers topics such as rulemaking, permit decisions, public notice requirements, how to appeal an agency decision, and frequently asked questions. The guide is available at www.in.gov/idem/5803.htm.
Illinois Guide to Products Recalled in 2008 The Illinois Attorney General has issued a comprehensive report of all children’s products that were recalled in 2008. It’s available here: www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/2008_Safe_Shopping_Guide.pdf
Great Resources on Alternatives to Pesticides and Safe Lawn Care The Safer Pest Control Project, an Illinois non-profit, has a lot of great information on safe ways to address pests, including a section on lawn care. Check it out at www.spcpweb.org/yards.
Upcoming Meetings Indiana Joint Asthma Coalition 2009 Meetings INJAC meets quarterly on the 8th floor of the ISDH building, 2 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis from 1:30 - 4. The 2009 meetings will be on Wednesday, March 18, Thursday, June 18, Thursday, September 16, and Thursday, December 17th Check www.in.gov/isdh/programs/asthma/ ßthis link isn’t working for me (http://www.in.gov/isdh/20233.htm this is the INJAC link, is that’s what you want to use)for more information. All are welcome.
Indianapolis Asthma Alliance This group of health care and other professionals works to reduce the asthma burden in Indianapolis through education and development of policies and programs to reduce asthma triggers. More information is available at www.asthmaindy.org/. Meetings for 2009 will be held at the Marion County Health Department, 3838 N. Rural St., Indianapolis from 8:30 – 10 on Jan. 28, March 25, May 27, July 22, Sept. 23 and Nov. 25.
Indiana Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Task Force Staff from local health departments, state agencies, and others who seek to improve environmental conditions for children in their homes meet quarterly to discuss issues, challenges and projects. Meetings are held at the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield facility at 2425 N. Meridian St., Suite A, Indianapolis, IN 46208 and there is telephone participation available. The 2009 meetings will be on the first Tuesday of every other month, beginning in February (Feb. 3, April 7, June 2, August 4, October 6 and December 1). Contact Janet McCabe at 317-902-3610 or mccabe@ikecoalition.org to confirm meeting dates or for the call-in number.
Asthma Educator Institute Being held in Indianapolis, Evansville, and Fort Wayne spring 2009. Scholarships available. Contact Brett Aschliman at 260-415-9294.
Events and Conferences Earth Day Indiana Celebration (April 25) April 25, American Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis. More information at http://earthdayindiana.org/
World Asthma Day Celebrations
Contact Robin Costley at 317-221-2473 or visit www.asthmaindy.org for more information
Contact Brett Aschliman at 260-415-9294
Second Indiana Environmental Health Summit: Water Quality and Human Health (May 15) The IU Medical School Center for Health and the Environment, IUPUI School of Public and Environmental Affairs, the Hoosier Environmental Council and IKE will host the second Indiana Environmental Health Summit on May 15, 2008. The conference will focus on Indiana water quality issues. See note above for more details.
Lung Walk- Lung Association of Indiana (May 30, 2009) The Monon Center, Carmel, IN 9:00 am Register at www.lungin.org or email lzuercher@lungin.org
The Earth Charter National Momentum Conference (June 19-21) The first national conference for Earth Charter chapters from across the country will be hosted at Butler University and the Earth Charter Indiana Chapter. The Earth Charter is a blueprint for sustainable living, environmental and economic justice and peace that has catalyzed action by local groups throughout the world. More information is available about the Earth Charter and the conference at www.earthcharterindiana.org/.
Indiana Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Conference (November 3-4) It’s not too soon to put this annual event on your calendar. The Conference will be held at the Marten House Hotel and Conference Center in Indianapolis. More details in a future newsletter.
Training
o Accredited Lead Training at the Environmental Management Institute in Indianapolis. Contact EMI at 800-488-8842, 317-248-4848 or www.envtlmgmt.org. o Lead Abatement Worker – March 16 o Supervisor Lead-Based Paint Abatement & Contractor Lead-Based Paint Abatement – April 20-23 and August 24-27 o Lead Risk Assessor – June 18-19 Refresher Classes o Inspector – May 28 o Risk Assessor – May 29 o Supervisor/Contractor – May 29 o National Center for Healthy Housing Training. The NCHH maintains a list of upcoming trainings across the country. Find it at www.healthyhomestraining.org/upcoming.htm.
Marcie Memmer, Director of the ISDH Asthma Program through December 2008, has taken a position with the agency’s Nutritional and Physical Activity Division where we are sure she will do great things. Lucky for all of us, Trisha Dane, the former ISDH Asthma Educator, has replaced Marcie as Director. You can reach Trisha at 233-7793 and tdane@isdh.in.gov. Thanks for improving kids' environment! If you have any questions or comments about this newsletter or Improving Kids’ Environment, contact Janet McCabe at mccabe@ikecoalition.org , 317-902-3610 or 3951 N. Meridian St., #160 Indianapolis, IN 46208. Please let us know if you do not want to receive this newsletter. You may get enough emails and faxes already. We do not want to add to the burden.
YOU CAN BECOME A SUPPORTER OF CHILDREN’S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH BY MAKING A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION
Donations are gratefully accepted to help the organization achieve its mission. Please donate!
Attached is my contribution of: $25 $50 $100 $200 _____ Please make checks payable to: Improving Kids’ Environment and mail to 3951 N. Meridian St. #160, Indianapolis, IN 46208.. IKE also accepts payments by personal or corporate credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, or American Express). Or donate on-line through the DONATE button on IKE’s homepage.
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