What Can You Do to Ensure a Safe and Healthy Environment

Find out what groups and organizations in your community are working on issues related to children’s health and the environment. Map your community in terms of known or potential hazards. Find out what chemicals are released in the community through the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data available to the public.

Pay attention to media coverage pertaining to children and the environment (e.g. incidence of asthma, childhood cancer, children’s exposure to lead, pesticide use in public areas like parks and school facilities, housing and building code violations).

Make your understanding and concerns about the health of the environment and the health of children known to your community, state and national leaders. Identify the agency, commission or legislative body responsible for ensuring children are protected.

Create a coalition of key individuals and groups in your community regarding children’s health and the environment. Potential members include: pediatricians, family medicine physicians, nurses, public health professionals and academics, health department officials, child advocacy groups, parents, grandparents, PTAs, environmental groups/coalitions, youth groups, health organizations, civic groups and clubs, business and industries, and other religious communities.