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                Improving Kids' Environment

                                                    Advocates for Children's Environmental Health

                                    Children’s Environmental Health Newsletter

                                                                                                September 2009

                                                        Version in pdf

SAVE THE DATE!!!!

IKE’s 10^th Birthday Party will be on

November 4, 6:30 – 8:30

at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum

Top Stories and IKE Highlights

IKE, ISDH and WYFI Release Indiana:Lead Paint, Lead Poisoning

Thanks to funding from ISDH and excellent production by WFYI, there is now a 17 minute video you can use to educate about lead poisoning in Indiana.  There are lots of good videos on this topic, but what makes this video so compelling is how it illustrates the impact that lead poisoning has had on three Indiana families—the sense of responsibility and uncertainty about their children’s future that each of the parents expresses.  One viewer said, “we believe [the video] speaks volumes about the dangers of lead based paint, how childhood lead poisoning affects families and how it is easily preventable given the right education.”  The video is available via IKE’s website at www.ikecoalition.org/Lead/index.htm, and in 2 parts on Youtube at

Part 1:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDh46rTr-eo

Part 2:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEJvtZqOsB8.  There are copies of the DVD available as well—contact Janet at mccabe@ikecoalition.org.

Registration Now Open for the 2009 Indiana Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Conference

Register now for this annual event—a great introduction to the issues for new staff, a great way to get the latest updates, mandatory training (Lead Case Management and Lead Risk Assessor Refresher), and re-energize with colleagues committed to improving health and quality of life.  More details and registration information available at www.ikecoalition.org/Lead_Conf_2009/Conf_Preview_2009.htm.

EPA Agrees to Reconsider Problematic Elements of Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule

Thanks to strong advocacy by Sierra Club and other groups, USEPA has agreed to reconsider and propose strengthened provisions of the RRP rule that IKE and others felt did not adequately protect children from the dangers of lead dust created by renovation activities.  On August 28, USEPA announced settlement of the challenge brought to the RRP rule by the Sierra Club, IKE and other advocacy groups on several aspects of the rule, notably the owner opt-out provision, the lack of clearance testing, and exclusion of non-residential buildings.  More information at www.epa.gov/lead/new.htm#aug2009.

IKE Seeking Part-time Development and Communications Assistant

IKE will have an opening for a part-time (10-20) hour a week staff person for development, communications and other administrative activities beginning in October.  A position description is posted at www.ikecoalition.org/documents/IKE_Position_Description_8-31-09.pdf. 

Rulemakings of Note

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.

Air Pollution Rules

Air Permit Rules to Undergo Review.  IDEM has commenced two rulemakings to look at the air permitting rules—one to consider near term changes and one for longer term issues.  IDEM will form a workgroup—the first meeting is on September 16.  If you are interested in participating, contact Amy Smith,

 (317) 233-8628 or (800) 451-6027 (in Indiana) or e-mail at asmith@idem.in.gov.  Air permits are a key tool in ensuring that air emissions from industry are controlled as required by law.  Read the notice at www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20090722-IR-326090492FNA.xml.pdf. This is an important rulemaking. 

IDEM proposes to extend open burning exemptions.  Open burning is prohibited by Indiana law unless specifically authorized by statute or rule or pursuant to a variance issued by IDEM.  The agency has proposed adding additional types of fires that would be exempt from the variance process.  Open burning can cause or exacerbate an asthma attack and releases toxic chemicals into the air, often in areas where people live and play. 

IKE’s comments on both of these rules are at www.ikecoalition.org/IKE_Documents.htm. 

First Notice for Confined Feeding Rule Published

IDEM has started a rulemaking to revise the rules that regulate confined animal feeding operations in Indiana.  As stated in the Notice, “IDEM is requesting comments relative to what type of changes should be made to the regulations that apply to CAFOs as defined under the CWA and [to] CFOs as defined by Indiana statute. IDEM is particularly interested in making changes that would update and streamline both programs and make it easier for the regulated community and the public to understand what is required under each program.”  IDEM intends to form a workgroup.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Lydia Kuykendal, Rules Development Branch, Office of Legal Counsel, (317) 234-5345 or (800) 451-6027 (in Indiana).  Comments are due by September 18, 2009.  The First Notice can be found at www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20090819-IR-327090615FNA.xml.html.

                                        Asthma and Clean Air

EPA Proposes to Set 1 Hour Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide in the Air

Nitrogen dioxide is a common air pollutant that can cause adverse health effects, particularly for asthmatics, even after short term (30 minute) exposure.  Monitoring shows that short-term NO2 levels are higher near roadways, because mobile sources are key emitters.  EPA has proposed to set a short-term standard for NO2 (the current standard is based on an annual average) and require more monitoring near roadways where the risk appears to be greatest.  More information at www.epa.gov/air/nitrogenoxides/pdfs/20090722fs.pdf.

                                        Sewage and Clean Water

  See note on CAFO rules above.

                                        Lead and Healthy Homes

On the national scene….

CDC Revises Policy on Screening Medicaid-Eligible Children

The CDC has issued updated recommendations regarding screening Medicaid-eligible children for elevated blood lead level.  In the August 7, 2009 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the agency states that “the EBLL disparity between Medicaid-eligible children and non-Medicaid-eligible children is diminishing,” so rather than recommend universal screening of Medicaid-eligible children, “state and local officials should target screening toward specific groups of children in their area at higher risk for EBLLs.”  The Indiana State Health Department and Office of Medicaid are reviewing CDC’s findings in light of Indiana-specific data.   www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5809a1.htm?s_cid=rr5809a1_e

Groups Petition EPA to Strengthen Lead Standards and Ban Lead in Wheel Weights

Two petitions have been filed by environmental health and housing advocacy groups to address lead in the environment.  In May, the groups asked EPA to ban the use of lead in wheel weights by January 2011, arguing that 1.6 million pounds of lead is lost when wheel weights are uncontrolled or unmanaged in the environment.  EPA accepted the petition on August 26 and will pursue a regulatory ban. A second petition asks EPA to lower the federal dust lead and paint lead levels.  Based on research that the current standards leave more than 30% of children at risk for lead poisoning, the petition asks EPA to:

• Lower floor dust lead hazard standards from 40 micrograms of lead per square foot of surface area (µg/ft2) to 10 µg/ft2 or less.

• Lower window sill dust lead hazard standards from 250 µg/ft2 to 100 µg /ft2 or less.

• Reduce the allowable amount of lead in paint and coatings in housing, child-occupied facilities, and public and commercial buildings from 0.5 percent by weight (5,000 parts per million (ppm) to 0.06 percent by weight (600 ppm).

The petition is available at www.afhh.org/res/res_newsroom_EPA_Lead_Standards_Petition_Final.pdf.

Studies Shows Pesticide Residues in Homes and Links to Parkinson’s Disease

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in collaboration with the United States Environmental Protection Agency conducted a survey measuring lead, allergens, and insecticides in a randomly selected nationally representative sample of residential homes.  Results show that most floors in occupied homes in the U.S. have measurable levels of insecticides that may serve as sources of exposure to occupants.  Read the study at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es8030243.  Researchers have also found that people with Parkinson’s disease have much higher blood levels of a particular pesticide (Beta-hexachlorocyclohexane) than healthy people or those with Alzheimer’s disease.  The significance of this research is that, while it has long been known that there is a link between pesticide use and Parkinson’s, a specific pesticide had not yet been identified. Now it has. Measuring beta-HCH may allow early detection and protective treatment.

Lead Exposure in the Family Car

The August 21, 2009 issue of CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Vol 58, No 32,finds a connection between childhood lead poisoning and lead dust contamination of family vehicles and child safety seats.  A study of lead poisoning cases in Maine concluded that family members who worked in high-risk lead exposure occupations were the likely source of lead dust in the car.  Read at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5832a2.htm?s_cid=mm5832a2_e.

Summary of Research Linking Lead Exposure and Delinquency

The Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support has compiled a summary of studies that link childhood lead levels and delinquent behavior.  A good resource:

www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/dhfs/Leadaug08.pdf. 

HUD Policy Discourages Smoking in Public Housing

On July 17, 2009, HUD issued a policy that strongly encourages, but does not require, Public Housing Authorities to implement non-smoking policies in some or all of their public housing units. Few things do more to protect children’s health than eliminating their exposure to tobacco smoke in the home.  HUD’s notice is posted at www.hud.gov/offices/pih/publications/notices/09/pih2009-21.pdf.

Back Home in Indiana….

Indiana Lead Safe Housing Advisory Council

The next meeting of the Indiana Lead Safe Housing Advisory Council will be on September 8, 10 AM– 12 PM at ISDH (2 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis), or you may call in at 317.233.3550.   Anyone is welcome to attend.  Minutes of the meetings are posted at www.ikecoalition.org/SEA143/index.htm.  As a reminder, Senate Enrolled Act 143 (2008) charged the Council with developing recommendations for a primary prevention program for childhood lead poisoning by November 1, 2009.

Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule Updates

Training.  USEPA has now approved a number of training providers to offer the Certified Contractor course, listed at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/trainingproviders.htm.  Indiana’s own Environmental Management Institute is one of the accredited trainers, and will be offering training throughout the state.  Contact EMI at www.envmgt.org for details. 

                                    Healthy Schools and Childcare

No Flies on These School Facilities Managers!

At the first Indiana Workshop on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for school facilitators in July, more than 50 school personnel learned about the health and cost advantages of using a different approach to pest control in schools.  Given the demonstrated health and other advantages of IPM, there is interest in providing more workshops and resources to schools—stay tuned.  Thanks to ISDH and the Pike Township Schools for making this workshop possible.

                   Great Sources of Information                                                                           

Green Gardening.  EPA has put out a video podcast on "Green Gardening and Pest Management."  The video highlights ways consumers can control pests in their lawns and gardens using Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.  The video is also available in Spanish, and provides tips on how to select a pest management company for the home and garden and how to use pesticides safely.  To view the video, visit www.epa.gov/multimedia.  The video is filed in the General Category.

Wondering About CFL Bulbs?

Not all compact fluorescent light bulbs are created equal, it turns out.  They vary in the amount of mercury they contain, how long they last, and the kind of light they emit.  The Environmental Working Group has put out a Green Lighting Guide that compares different brands and gives pros and cons and a calculator to figure out how much energy you can save by installing CFL bulbs.  For more information, visit:  www.ewg.org/node/27221. 

The America's Children and the Environment Website Recently Updated

USEPA has updated this website with the most current data available through 2006 for 18 measures of contaminants, body burdens and illnesses important for children's environmental health, such as:

• Percentage of children living in counties in which air quality

standards were exceeded (1993-2007)

• Childhood blood lead levels (1976-2006), and

• Percentage of children with asthma (1980-2007).

www.epa.gov/envirohealth/children/index.htm

Comprehensive Global Climate Change Report Issued June 2009

The United States Global Change Research Program has published ”Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, A State of Knowledge Report from the U.S. Global Change Research Program.”  This comprehensive report summarizes the science and the impacts of climate change on the United States, now and in the future. It focuses on climate change impacts in different regions of the U.S. and on various aspects of society and the economy such as energy, water, agriculture, and health.  It's also a report written in plain language, with the goal of better informing public and private decision making at all levels.  More information and the report can be found at www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts.

Hidden treat:  If you haven’t seen this already, it will brighten your day:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkBepgH00GM.

                                        Mark Your Calendars….

Upcoming Meetings

Indiana Joint Asthma Coalition 2009 Meetings

INJAC meets quarterly on the 8^th floor of the ISDH building, 2 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis from 1:30 - 4.  The 2009 meetings will be on Thursday, September 16, and Thursday, December 17^th.  Check www.in.gov/isdh/20233.htm. 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/.  The next meeting is on September 15 at 8:30 at 3838 N. Rural, Indianapolis.

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 and there is telephone participation available.  The remaining 2009 meetings are on 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.

Events and Conferences

Indiana Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Conference (November 4-5)

The Conference will be held at the Marten House Hotel and Conference Center in Indianapolis.  More details at www.ikecoalition.org/Lead_Conf_2009/Conf_Preview_2009.htm.

IKE 10^th Anniversary Party (November 4)

Help IKE celebrate 10 years of protecting children’s health in Indiana.  The event will be at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, 3000 N. Meridian Street, from 6:30 – 8:30 PM.  You won’t want to miss it.

2009 Mercury Science and Policy Conference (November 17-18)

This Conference will have a special focus on the Northeast and Great Lakes Regions, and will bring together public, private, and non-governmental leaders that are focusing on reducing mercury in the environment.  It will be held on November 17-18, 2009 at the Union League Club of Chicago.  More information at:   
www.newmoa.org/prevention/mercury/conferences/sciandpolicy/index.cfm

Training

o        Accredited Lead (and Other) Training at the Environmental Management Institute in Indianapolis.  Contact EMI at 800-488-8842, 317-248-4848 or www.envtlmgmt.org.

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.

Changing Faces                                                                            

Do you know of any faces that have changed?  Please let us know….

Thanks for all you do to improve 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 IKE 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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