WOMEN FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Healthy early learning: the american academy of pediatrics' council on environmental health has stated that "those who care for children (childcare staff, parents or guardians, physicians, schools) should make every effort to minimize the negative health and developmental effects of toxin exposure. During infancy, children often explore their environment on the floor, exposing themselves to potentially harmful pollutants brought indoors from outside, cleaning products used on floor surfaces, and pesticides used on outdoor grounds.see additional information on schedule o.through stages of development, infants and toddlers frequently place objects in their mouths further increasing exposures. They have higher respiratory and metabolic rates, as well as an immature blood/brain barrier and immune system. Caregivers must take precaution, become informed about environmental hazards, and make efforts to reduce or eliminate certain toxins in their environments." through whe's healthy early learning program staff provides technical assistance focused on creating a healthy environment for the youngest population, infants and children. Through a combination of mini-grants, educational programs and technical assistance, whe staff certify early learning centers as eco-healthy. This is a program created by the children's environmental health network's eco-healthy child care (ehhc) program. This program partners with childcare professionals to eliminate or reduce environmental health hazards found within or around childcare facilities. Whe staff utilized the eco- healthy child care checklist to work with centers to adopt healthier, greener practices in their facilities. During fy 24, staff certified 37 centers as eco-healthy across pa. An additional 87 early learning centers received eco-healthy supplies such as third-party certified cleaning supplies, anti-idling signs and walk of mats. Staff held environmental health webinars, reaching over 240 individuals in the childcare setting. Whe staff works with centers to minimize and mitigate environmental risks, which both children and employees may encounter daily. Through the healthy early learning program, centers have acquired green cleaning products, purchased filtered water stations, and addressed indoor air quality issues. Whe continued to convene the pa healthy childcare partnership, bringing together government agencies such as the office of child development and early learning (ocdel) with early learning providers to address environmental health concerns in the childcare setting. In addition, whe developed and developed the eco-explorers sustainability program, which included six lesson plans delivered to over 800 students ages 3-5.lastly, this program provides funds and technical expertise to centers for lead and radon testing, as well as remediation. Eleven childcare centers were supported through the 1000 hours a year program and received lead and/or radon testing, as well as lead abatement and radon mitigation systems when necessary, creating a healthy learning environment. In addition, over 50 air filters, over 170 water pitchers that remove lead, and over 95 green cleaning kits were distributed.

Coalition building initiatives and advocacy: get the lead (pb) out, pittsburgh campaign and lead safe allegheny coalition: during early 2018, whe staff convened a group of nonprofits and academic researchers interested in focusing on lead exposure, including strategies that address primary prevention and early intervention. This led to the creation of a countywide coalition, including participation from government agencies and healthcare providers to nonprofits, that have a common goal of developing strategies and resources to reduce the number of children with elevated blood lead levels. In fy 24, whe also was the recipient of a cdc childhood lead poisoning prevention grant that also supports this work. The goal of that grant is to increase the number of children screened for lead and the number of home investigations that occur when a child is diagnosed with an elevated blood lead level. In fy 24, the coalition worked within allegheny county to provide leadership and advocacy that advances strategic initiatives and fosters collaboration among the community by focusing on primary prevention and ultimately creating a lead safe environment. The coalition advocates to ensure we maintain public vigilance until we have achieved our overall goal of protecting children by eliminating harmful exposure to lead in all sources. Under the epa renovation, repair and painting (rrp) regulation, contractors must be certified when working in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 1978 where lead-paint will be disturbed. During this fiscal year, whe subsidized the training for two rrp classes that were held in spanish and convened at the pittsburgh hispanic development corporation. The lead safe allegheny coalition hosted its fourth annual life without lead summit that educated individuals about the importance of lead prevention and childhood lead screening. The conference had over 100 registrations from across the state and country. Whe staff also provided lead education via community workshops and participated in outreach events - in person and virtually - to raise awareness about lead prevention and connected families to local resources. Six community workshops were held and meetings with four municipalities in high priority communities. Whe is the convenor of the radon in pa schools workgroup, a partnership among school personnel, healthcare providers, radon professionals and community members affected by cancer. This workgroup continues to meet to raise the public's awareness of radon exposure in the learning environment and conduct educational meetings with government representatives and elected officials. Whe continues to be the "go-to" source for information for reliable scientific information on environmental hazards that impact public health. In fy 24, whe published three reports bringing science to the forefront of community conversations. Each was highlighted by local media outlets:- three rivers, fifteen pfas analyzes pfas levels at the mixing zones of three municipal wastewater systems (where the wastewater effluent and stream mixed) compared to ambient surface water samples taken just upstream of the discharge sites. Results indicated that the municipal wastewater systems are continually polluting our waterways with wastewater discharge that is not treated for pfas.- indoor air quality in childcare study investigates the efficacy of medifyair air filters in reducing pm2.5 concentrations in eight childcare centers in four environmental justice areas in philadelphia. Analyzing data collected over a two-week period, the study reveals a decrease in pm 2.5 levels by 80%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the air filters.- investigation of shade structures investigates outdoor play in childcare settings within four philadelphia's environmental justice neighborhoods. The study aims to address the impact of heat and limited shade on children and staff during the summer months, with a focus on the disparities exacerbated by climate change. Findings indicate when shade is offered, temperature decreases, and outdoor playtime increases.lastly, whe was a proud recipient of the epa safer choice partner of the year award, as well as the pa governor's award for environmental excellence, recognizing its partnerships and collaboration of whe's hud healthy homes asthma program.