Upload
clara-oldroyd
View
213
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
First Nation Children’s Environmental Health
To speak about the manual To provide tools which could be used to
teach community members about environmental health concerns and how to decrease exposure to toxins
Elders Union of Ontario Indians Ministry of Children and Youth Services Wendy Burgoyne – Best Start Resource
Centre and Health Nexus First Nation’s Service Providers
Air Earth Fire Water
“The well being of our people today and generations to come are directly related to our ability to live in balance and harmony with Mother Earth”
John BeaucageGrand Council Chief
“Every child deserves to live in a healthy environment.”
“We can all work together to improve the health of First Nations children.”
Phil Fontaine, National Chief
Child Health and the Environment – A Primer, August 2005: Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and the Environment.
Physiological, developmental, and behavioral differences set them apart
Exposure occurs during sensitive developmental stages
Children spend more time close to the ground
Explore their environments through taste and touch
Consume larger quantities of food and water per body weight
Spend more time indoors
Liver is not developed to adult capacity until 6 months
Kidneys are not fully developed until 16 months
The blood-brain barrier is not fully developed for at least 3 years
Rapid brain development leads to increased vulnerability
Child Health and the Environment-A Primer, August 2005 Canadian Partnership fro Children’s Health and the Environment
When an activity raises threats of harm tohuman health or the environment,
precautionarymeasures should be taken even if some causeand effect relationships are not fully
establishedscientifically
The Wingspread statement(Wingspread Conference, Racine Wisconsin,
1998)
Some pollutants are excreted more slowly than they are absorbed and are stored in the body for long periods of time.
Body burden: Total pollutants in the body may increase if the organism is repeatedly exposed to bioaccumulating substances for a long period of time.
Intellectual deficits Learning disabilities Vision and hearing problems Behavioral problems
Interfere with normal functioning of the reproductive system and stages of development
Linked to birth defects in the male reproductive system, fertility problems, early onset menstruation/puberty, and cancer
Occurs mainly from contamination of wildlife and other foods including food packaging
A child’s lungs continue to develop into adolescence
Asthma – 12% of children in NA have, increased since 1994, boys higher rates
First Nations – higher rates of tobacco use, higher rates of asthma, more likely to be hospitalized for respiratory illness
Changes in sexual behaviour, lower sperm count, decreased fertility, irregular menstruation
Spontaneous abortion Low Birth Weight Birth defects Vision, hearing, intellectual deficits
Aamjiwnaang FN near Sarnia – more females born than males
Cause cancer PCBs, pesticides, diesel exhaust, vehicle
emissions, tobacco smoke Cancer rates are lower among FNs Increasing incidence of lung and colon
cancer
Lead Methyl Mercury PCB’s, Dioxins Volatile Organic Compounds Tobacco Smoke Radiation – UV Exposure Outdoor pollution – diesel, combustion,
burning, industrial air releases
Bisphenol A Poly Vinyl Chloride Phthalates Pesticides Persistent Organic Pollutants Poly Brominated Diphenyl Ethers
Found: Water supply, lead based paint (renovations), soil
and gardening, some consumer products Health Canada banned in gasoline in 1990 Today’s plumbing code prohibits the use of lead-
based solder
Water Supply: piping, solder, fixtures (taps themselves) Longer water sits in pipes the more lead may
dissolve into water Homes constructed before 1955 (today plumbing
code prohibits lead based solder)
Paint manufactured before 1980 & homes built before 1950
If chipped, peeled or sanded can release particles into dust and soil
Areas with increased abrasion (doors/rails/window sills) prone to creating dust therefore ensure that painted surfaces in older buildings are well maintained
Soil and Gardening Soil can be contaminated from current or past Soil can be contaminated from current or past
industrial activities/use of products by residents industrial activities/use of products by residents (vehicle emissions) especially if garden is close (vehicle emissions) especially if garden is close to roads/highwayto roads/highway
Consumer Products: plastic mini-blinds, candlewicks, sidewalk
chalk, crayons, the paint on pencils, clothing zippers, inexpensive jewellery and trinkets, pewter items, some imported candy and traditional medicines and some painted toys
What Can Families Do?What Can Families Do?Water Supply: Most effective way is to replace lead water service
or piping (expensive) Filtration (NSF Standard 53) Use only cold flushed water for drinking, cooking
and especially for preparing baby formula (never use hot water for tap consumption as heated water may contain higher levels
Boiling water doesn’t remove it MOE requires all daycares to have less than 10
ppb in water Flushing
What Can Families Do? Get advice from a qualified contractor
on how best to deal with old painted surfaces that require renovations or repair
Wash hands after cleaning Do not let children eat or suck on paint
chips Keep painted surfaces in good repair Wipe up paint chips immediately with
damp cloth Keep pregnant women and children out
of renovated spaces until the work is finished and well cleaned
What Can Families Do?Soil and Gardening: Remove shoes at the door and use washable door
mats Try to ensure that children play on grass not bare
soil Wash children’s feet after they play barefoot
outdoors Plant community gardens away from industrial or
high traffic areas Plant home gardens away from foundation of the
house if paint is peeling from outside of the building Add organic matter (such as compost) to your soil Keep soil moist to control dust Remove as much soil as you can from produce
before bringing into home/thoroughly wash vegetables before consuming or cooking
What Can Families Do?Consumer Products: Check for product warnings/advisories/recalls
from Health Canada Watch out for “trinkets” that have a dull grey
colour or are heavy for their size Carefully discard plastic mini-blinds bought
before 1997 Do not store or serve food and drinks in
leaded crystal dishes Avoid buying candles with metallic core in the
wick Avoid toys, backpacks and lunchboxes made
of brightly coloured PVC plastic Choose products such as pencils, crayons and
sidewalk chalk that are made in Canada
Found: Naturally occurring element found in
soil, rocks,lakes, streams and oceans. Released in environment by human
activities such as burning coal and other fossil fuel mining and manufacturing
Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces
Tuna (steaks), pike, bass, swordfish, shark and marlin contain high levels
Eat Less OftenEat Less OftenCanned white tunaCanned white tuna
(Albacore or blue fin) (Albacore or blue fin)
PregnantPregnant
Breastfeeding Breastfeeding WomenWomen
Children Children
Ages 1-4Ages 1-4ChildrenChildren
Ages 5-11 Ages 5-11
300 grams a week=
4 food guide servings
75 grams a week=
2 food guide servings
150 grams a week=
2 food guide servings
Higher in mercuryHigher in mercury
Canned TunaCanned Tuna
EAT MORE OFTENEAT MORE OFTEN
•Canned light tuna
•Made from skip jack, yellow fin and togol
LOWER IN MERCURYLOWER IN MERCURY
FISH TO LIMIT Fresh/frozen tuna steaks Swordfish Shark Marlin, tilefish Orange roughy Escolar Large freshwater fish- walleye,
northern pike
ENJOY OFTEN!Canned Tuna *light*CrabClams, oystersHalibutHerringLake whitefishRainbow troutShrimp, scallopsSquidBreaded fish cakes, sticks
2 food guide servings a month or 150 grams 2 food guide servings per week or 150 grams
FISH AND MERCURYFISH AND MERCURY
Where Are They Found? Also known as PCB’s Used in manufacture of transformer
cooling oil etc.. No longer in use in Canada (banned)
but still persists in the environment Found in air, soil, water and food Main source of contaminant is
through the fat of some fish as with most contaminants they are lipophilic ( fat loving)
Poly Chlorinated BiphenylsPoly Chlorinated Biphenyls
What Can Families Do? When eating fish, trim off fat
, discard the flesh and use a drip tray to allow fat to drip off fish and remove PCB
Follow same fish consumption guidelines as mercury
Poly Chlorinated BiphenylsPoly Chlorinated Biphenyls
Where Are They Found? Also known as PBDE “ The new PCB” Found in air, consumer products,
dust, soil and water Some are used as flame retardants
and heat stabilizers in thousands of products
Often make up a large portion of the plastics in building materials, television and computer casings, hand tool housings, foam and fabrics of textiles, drapery fabrics and furniture
Poly Brominated Diphenyl Poly Brominated Diphenyl EthersEthers
What Can Families Do? Dusting around the house and car with a damp cloth. Never dry dusting Handle dryer lint and vacuum cleaner bags
carefully Wash hands often before eating and preparing
food Open windows when cleaning Cover any exposed foam on household items, or
discard if it is crumbling or cannot be contained Remove unecessary carpets Ask retailers whether they carry PBDE free
products
Poly Brominated Diphenyl Poly Brominated Diphenyl EthersEthers
Where Are They Found? Also known as VOC’s A large group organic compounds that are
airborne at room temperature eg: formaldehyde, toluene, benzene
Release of fumes also known as “off gassing”
Fumes from solvents like paints and paint thinners
Fumes from new carpets, new furniture, new cars, cigarette smoke, hair spray, nail polish, mothballs, pressed wood, paints and thinners
Volatile Organic CompoundsVolatile Organic Compounds
What Can Families Do? Look for “low-VOC” , “non toxic” or
“enviro friendly” labelled products Choose a carpet free option for
children’s play area Encourage a smoke free environment Reduce the number of personal care
products such as hairsprays and nail polish
Open windows or let product “off gas” before installing- length of “off gassing” varies depending on product
Volatile Organic CompoundsVolatile Organic Compounds
Car and diesel exhaust, fuel combustion, burning of garbage or materials containing harmful chemicals and industrial air releases
Affects climate change Creation of “ smog” in the airDioxins Are by-products of combustion,
degradation of other chemicals such as vinyl and some industrial processes
Many types of dioxins and highly toxic
Outdoor PollutionOutdoor Pollution
Water run off, illegal waste dumping, improperly managed raw sewage, industry, agriculture, inadequate waste management systems
Most water pollution is now caused by overuse of consumer products particularly in the Great Lakes
Outdoor pollution also contributes to soil and water contamination
What Can Families Do? Do not burn garbage that
should not be burned Properly store and dispose of
hazardous waste Organize a hazardous waste
day in your community Stay indoors on very hot or
smoggy days Switch to paper instead of
disposable foam items such as paper plates
Outdoor Air PollutionOutdoor Air Pollution
Where Are They Found? Travel from farm fields, golf
courses, parks, forests by air , food and soil
Used for pest control in houses, indoor plants and gardens, lawns and pets
Used on fruits and vegetables Sprayed on side of road and hydro
lines for weed control Ontario has a new Cosmetic
Pesticide Law-some exceptions Some pesticides are banned in
Canada but not necessarily in the US
Pesticides and HerbicidesPesticides and Herbicides
Direct Exposure Those using pesticides Eg: Professionals, Farmers
Indirect Exposure Those living close to
areas where pesticides are used : Eg: agricultural areas, hydro lines, golf courses , agricultural crops
What Can Families Do? Avoid spraying the lawns with
pesticides Wash fruits and vegetables well with
water Buy local and grow your own produce Avoid picking berries, medicinal herbs
in areas where it may have been sprayed
Wash work clothes separately Take shoes and work clothes off at the
door Dust with a damp cloth
Pesticides and HerbicidesPesticides and Herbicides
Build up occurs when excess moisture is retained indoors
Mostly happens in bathrooms, kitchens and basements- can spread to rest of house
Can be found in carpets, wallpaper, insulation, wood and drywall
More than 270 kinds of mould Causes include home design,
poor ventilation, use of basements and crawl spaces in moist climate
Numbers 1-7 are for the purpose of recycling
(Thunder Bay #1&2) No regulatory body enforcing
mandated numbering on plastics (manufacturer’s choice)
Industries in charge of own testing
Not designed to be used to determine safety of plastics
Tests (Heating of plastics) conclude plastics heat resistance NOT whether they leach into product or not
Most plastics are made from petroleum (non-renewable imported)
Plastics in cooking and food storage can carry health risks ( chemicals leach in to food/occupational concerns & air pollution during manufacturing)
FoundFound:: Pop bottles - ability to hold fizz Juice containers, water bottles, Recyclable: Yes Safe for Food Storage: Yes only if one
time use only, must be recycled not re-used
Polyethylene Polyethylene Terephthalate EthyleneTerephthalate Ethylene
Found: Used in clear containers Milk jugs, juice containers, bleach, detergent
and shampoo containers, sports water bottles (soft)
Found in some plastic bags Recyclable: Yes Safe for food storage: Yes
High Density High Density PolyethylenePolyethylene
Concerns: plastic packaging (especially plastic bags) is an enormous source of landfill waste and is regularly
eaten by marine and land animals to fatal consequences
What Can Families Do? Try use alternatives to plastic packaging and storage
containers. Cloth, paper or cardboard are possibilities for transporting groceries.
High Density Polyethylene
Found: Used in some cling wrap, some plastic
squeeze bottles, peanut butter jars, shower curtains and children’s toys (ie: rubber ducky)
Bottles that have handles - handle can be molded easily into the bottle
Recyclable: No Safe for food storage: NoConcerns: PVC products contain and can leach
toxic additives
Poly Vinyl Chloride Poly Vinyl Chloride
What can Families Do? Avoid shower curtains and other
products, such as vinyl table cloths, made from PVC as much as you can/choose PVC-free curtains made from safer materials such as cotton OR
allow it to air out (off gassing is the smell of PVC)
Vinyl smells, don’t buy if there is no label
Poly Vinyl Chloride Poly Vinyl Chloride
What can Families Do? If you can, only purchase toys (other
products) that are not made from PVC If you already have toys that are made
from PVC try your best to limit (if possible stop altogether) the mouthing or sucking on items since this will speed up the leaching process
Health Canada has banned use of phthalates in teethers and rattles but no other toys at this time/US ban on phthalates in all toys
Poly Vinyl Chloride Poly Vinyl Chloride
Found: Grocery store bags, frozen food bags,
plastic wrap and some bottles Recyclable: No Safe for food Storage: Yes Concerns: Use plastic wrap with
caution, especially in microwave. Keep it from touching the food.
Alternatives: Wax paper, paper towels
Low Density Low Density PolyethylenePolyethylene
Found: Containers such as Rubber maid, deli soup,
syrup, yogurt andmargarine containers Straws and other clouded plastic containers
including baby bottles Safe for food storage: Yes Recyclable: No
PolypropylenPolypropylenee
Concerns/Tips: Avoid using plastic containers in the microwave
OR for food storage immediately after cooking while food is still hot. Chemicals are released from plastic when heated.
Use glass or ceramic containers free of metallic paint for microwaving and cooling/storing food.
Avoid storing fatty foods in plastic containers as there is greater leaching of chemicals into fatty foods.
Still continue to use as storage containers in other parts of daycare ie: mouthed toys waiting to be cleaned and disinfected, items used in crafts
PolypropylenPolypropylenee
Found: Styrofoam food trays, egg cartons, disposable
cups/bowls, carry out containers and opaque plastic cutlery
Safe for food storage: No Recyclable: No
PolystyrenePolystyrene
Concerns/Tips: Can leach into food Toxic to brain and nervous system Has been known to adversely affect red
blood cells, liver, kidneys and stomach in animal studies
What Can Families Do? Purchase eggs in cardboard cartons Do not store food in these containers
(especially food that has been heated) If being used in crafts, do not let children
mouth these items (ie: styrofoam balls etc.)
PolystyrenePolystyrene
Found: Used in most plastic baby bottles 5-gallon water bottles, sports
bottles, metal food can liners clear plastic “sippy” cups and some
clear plastic cutlery 7-PC-polycarbonate 7-Other-not just PC, can also be a
mixture of other plastics
Bisphenol ABisphenol A
7-Other-new bio based plastic 7-ABS-Acrylonitrile Butadiene
Styrene-similar concerns as 7- PC Safe for food storage: No Recyclable: No
Bisphenol ABisphenol A
In the News:*October 2008: Health Canada adds it
to its Toxic Substances List*Spring 2010-Health Canada bans
BPA in baby bottles*Aug 2010- New Stats Can Bio Report-
BPA in over 90% of population. Ages 12-19 higher levels- *kids under 6 not tested*
Bisphenol A Bisphenol A
What Can Families Do? Baby bottles containing BPA should
not be on-site ( Health Canada ban) use glass or BPA free plastic- no longer allowed to sell in stores due to ban
Avoid plastic containers made of polycarbonate eg: kitchen use ie: no microwaving, do not put hot foods/liquids in them (use glass, porcelain or stainless for ALL food/liquid storage
Bisphenol ABisphenol A
What Can Families do ?
Dishwashing is considered to be a heat source (if used as the sanitizer) or the detergent itself can contribute to the break down of the container
When possible, replace all canned food with fresh or frozen
Look for bio based plastic which is not made from petroleum products
Switch to glass or stainless steel
Bisphenol A Bisphenol A
Where are they found? Used in plastics( mostly in vinyl)
to soften and make them flexible Used in baby toys , tablecloths,
shower curtains, medical equipment, flooring and packaging, paints and lubricants
Several classes of phthalates Used in scented products such as
candles, room deodorizers, personal care products, cars to make the scent last longer. “New car” smell.
What Can Families Do ? Used in unscented products to
mask the scent Limit or avoid purchasing vinyl
products. Choose fabric Limit the use of soft toys such
as bath toys around small children especially if they chew
Limit or avoid scented or unscented products
What Can Families Do? Look for term “Fragrance Free” Let products “off gas” outside
on clothes line for a few days and/or open windows
Feb 2009 – US banned phthalates in kids toys.
Canada currently only bans phthalates in teething rings and rattles/US ban for all toys
Keep pregnant women and children away from renovations
www.pvcfree.org
Tobacco Use Pesticide and
Herbicide Use Household
Chemicals Smog
Infants born to smokers have higher rates of nicotine dependency, lower birth weights and developmental as well as physical abnormalities.
Canadian Paediatric Society, 2006
Food Source Contamination
Soil Contamination
Waste Management
Housing
“Loss of traditional practices, including loss of traditional diets, can be linked to the increase in dietary related disease and obesity.”
Elder Rebecca Martell (2008)
Home Heating
Emissions from Combustion
Water Quality (Drinking) Breastfeeding Water Quality (Fish)
Lobby and advocate for change within community and at broader government level
Use resources available through internet and government agencies
Be aware and create awareness Provide up to date information Educate community members, Chief and
Council Participate in research activities Incorporate environmentally friendly
strategies in to service provision
Downloaded for free atwww.anishinabek.ca/images/Healthpdf/Inside%20Report.pdf
Call Laurie McLeod-Shabogesic to purchase copies at (705) 497-9127. The cost is $12.85 plus $5.00 for shipping and handling.
Limited number available for purchase during the conference.
www.tbdhu.com/HBHF/CEH www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca www.storyofstuff.com www.sinsofgreenwashing.org www.chej.org
Seven Sins of Greenwashing Wallet Card Personal Care Products Fact Sheet Breastfeeding: The Greenest Way To Go
Fact Sheet Smart Plastics Guide Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish List of Contaminants