1.Participate in state or regional conferences on environmental topics to increase knowledge and skills. Explore offerings on air quality, water quality, regional planning, or food safety.
2. Investigate the variety of groups which work on environmental issues in your area. These groups might be affiliated with churches, labor committees, or safe housing activists. You might also call one of the national groups to find out if a chapter exists in your area. Some national groups are:
3. Investigate the Small Grants and Community/University Partnership Grants programs from the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Justice. The address of the office is:
401 M Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20460
(800) 962-6215
Funds are available for both new and expanded projects that are educational, motivational and/or build partnerships among community groups working to improve environmental quality in disproportionately affected communities.
4. Participate in the continuing education program sponsored by the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They have
an ongoing series of "Case Studies in Environmental Medicine" that includes
pre- and post-tests and carries continuing education credits for a variety
of health specialists. The information is written to increase the knowledge
and
skills regarding specific toxics in participants who have a fairly
high level of scientific or medical knowledge. For information on the case
studies, contact:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Executive Park, Building 4
1600 Clifton Road, E-33
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-6205
5. If there is a college in your area, ask whether it has an environmental studies program. There may be classes you can take as an extension student, or in pursuit of a degree.
This issue of the Bulletin focuses on environmental health, and includes articles on a variety of topics and resources for programs.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Head Start Facilities Manual. Washington, D.C., February 1995.
This manual outlines a step-by-step process for assessing, selecting, constructing, and funding Head Start facilities. It contains many good suggestions for involving the local community and considering children's, families', and staff members' needs. Environmental issues are briefly noted. The checklists can be expanded to include greater consideration of environmental issues in the selection or construction of a Head Start facility.Riley, Mary Tom. Skill Building Blocks: Environmental Awareness. Lubbock, Texas: Institute for Child and Family Studies, Texas Tech University.Contact: Head Start Publications CenterThe Head Start FRIS provides grantee and delegate agencies with information on issues related to facilities. FRIS will help Head Start programs to locate information for creating and/or maintaining quality physical environments. One category of resources listed on FRIS is "environmental hazards and pollutants."
P.O. Box 26417
Alexandria, VA 223 13-0417
FAX: (703) 683-5769Head Start Facility Referral & Information Service
(800) 303-0705 FAX: (301) 519-6760
E-Mail: Jallen@aspensys.com
This booklet is intended to raise the awareness of Head Start administrators, parents, and children about the problems we face because of pollution of air, water, and soil. It suggests activities that can be carried out, in the belief that there are things that we can do to "save the earth from ourselves." The booklet gives general ideas for administrators and specific thoughts for parent committee activities for fall, winter, spring, and summer.
General Publication
Balachandran, Sarojini, Editor. Encyclopedia of Environmental Information Sources. Detroit, Mich.: Gale Research Inc., 1993.
This 1,800-page book covers 1,100 topics. It is a thorough infor mation resource for specific environmental health topics. The encyclopedia lists organizations involved with that topic, in dexes, directories, and publications. It lists major environmental legislation and environmental departments for most states.Community Alliance with Family Farmers. National Organic Directory. Davis, Calif., (published annually).Contact: Local library
The directory includes more than 1,000 cross-referenced listings for commodities bought and sold, and names, addresses and phone numbers of organic growers and wholesalers. The direc tory is organized by state, so it is easy to locate suppliers in your area. While this directory does not list all of the organic growers in the country, it does give you a good start with some growers. It also includes explanations of the various state and federal organic growing laws.Nabhan, Gary P., and Stephen Trimble. The Geography of Childhood. Boston, Mass.: Beacon Press, 1994.Contact: Community Alliance with Family Farmers
P.O. Box 363
Davis, CA 95617
(800) 852-3832
Two fathers-a conservation biologist and a photographer- write a series of essays about the view of wilderness from children's eyes. The authors note that small children have less need for large-scale wilderness than for a garden, gully, or field to create a crucial tie to the natural world. Nabham and Trimble draw on their own experiences as children and parents, on the experiences of people in cities and suburbs, and on the rituals of indigenous people in rural settings.Quinn, Daniel. Ishmael. New York: Bantam/Turner Books, 1995.
This story describes an encounter between a human student and his teacher, who happens to be a gorilla. The teacher leads the student through questions about culture and behavior to an understanding of why human beings behave as they do toward other beings and the natural environment. The questions are provocative and the book would be an excellent springboard toward discussions about environmental values.Reid, Walter V. "Biodiversity and Health: Prescription for Progress,"Contact: Available at local libraries and bookstores
This article gives a concise yet well-researched overview of the reasons why human and environmental health are closely linked. The author discusses the role of plants in pharmaceutical re search, the importance of plant diversity to traditional medical systems, and how climate change is affecting human health. He suggests that researchers into human disease could learn much from studying how the world's flora and fauna have responded to disease. He advocates greater efforts toward public education and collaboration between the biomedical and conservation communities.Schoemaker, Joyce M., and Charity Y. Vitale. Healthy Homes, Healthy Kids. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 1991.Contact: Available through local libraries or call Environment journal at (202) 296-6267.
This practical book was written for parents by two scientists who are also parents. It is more anecdotal than research-based, although there is plenty of reference material. The organization of the book makes it easy to find information on a particular subject of concern. There are five parts: The Healthy Playroom, The Healthy Yard, The Healthy Meal, The Healthy Nap, and The Healthy Cleanup. Each chapter within these five parts also includes a Resources section that is divided into "products and services" and "sources of information."Environmental Education ResourcesContact: National Environmental Health Association (see Organizations)
Acorn Naturalists. Catalog, 1996.
The catalog includes print materials, videos, and manipulatives-all designed to enrich environmental education activities. It includes resources for activities in the urban environment and suggestions for the caregivers of babies and toddlers, as well as a great deal of information for children in K-12 settings.Allen, Judy et. al. Cultural Awareness for Children. Menlo Park, Calif.:Contact: Acorn Naturalists
17300 East 17th Street, #J-236
Tustin, CA 92780
(800) 422-8886
This book includes educational activities that have been used at The Learning Tree, a school in Texas with a commitment to multicultural education. The activities are written for use in preschool, kindergarten, and the primary grades. Although the activities cover a range of topics, useful information on the environment can be found in the "nature and science" sections. The book considers the following cultural heritages: African, American Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mexican, Thai and Southeast Asian.Caputo, Michael J., and Joseph Bruchac. Native American Gardening: Stories, Projects and Recipes for Families. Golden, Cob.: Fulcrum Publishers, 1996.Contact: Available at local bookstores
This resource book, from the authors of the "Keepers of the Earth" series, explores the Native approach to gardening. It tells us that, in Native North America, a garden is not just a place to grow food. Tending a garden is one of the most important ways that people become a part of the "Circle of Life." Stories in the book lay the groundwork for understanding, and hands-on projects show readers how to continue the work of generations of Native farmers. The book includes step-by-step instructions for preparing a garden site, planting, harvesting, celebrating, cooking, and creating craft items such as gourd rattles and corn husk dolls.Cohen, Richard, and Betty Phillips Tunick. Snail Trails and Tadpole Tails. St. Paul, Minn.: Redleaf Press, 1993.Contact: Available at libraries, bookstores, or through Fulcrum Publishing: (800) 992-2908
This teacher's guide describes the process of setting up indoor mini-habitats for children three to four years old. The book gives practical information on constructing several different habitats, and tells the story of the children's experiences with the habitats and their animal and insect inhabitants.Environmental Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI). INFOsheets. Piscataway, N.J.Contact: Available from Acorn Naturalists (see previous page)
These informational brochures provide an overview of specific environmental and occupational health topics. Each sheet costs less than $1.00 and some topics covered are: Children's Art Supplies, Home Use of Pesticides, Indoor Air Pollution, Radon, Plastics Recycling, and Community Noise.Kavasch, E. Barrie. Enduring Harvests: Native American Foods and Festivals for Every Season. Old Saybrook, Conn.: The Globe Pequot Press, 1995.Also available are environmental curricula for kindergarten through high school. While not immediately applicable to Head Start, the curricula provide concepts for adapting or ideas for transition activities to plan in conjunction with local schools.
Contact: Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
Institute Resource Center
681 Frelinghuysen Road
Piscataway, N.J. 08855
(908) 445-0110 FAX: (908) 445-0122
Food is where culture and environment meet and blend into social activities and celebrations. This book begins with the harvest season in September, and travels through the calendar and all over North America. Readers learn about the natural features of various areas of this continent, and about indigenous people and their ways of celebrating Earth's rhythms: the chang ing patterns of the weather and the availability of different foods at different times of the year. The book examines ancient as well as contemporary practices and includes recipes for foods en joyed throughout North America.McQueen, Kelly, and David Fassler. Let's Talk Trash. Burlington, Vt.: Waterfront Books, 1991.Contact: Available at local bookstores and libraries
Subtitled "The Kids' Book about Recycling." This book is organized for use in circle time, with big headings and children's drawings about garbage. Parents might enjoy reading it to their children, too. The book asks questions about trash and invites children to share their thoughts on the issue. Space for drawings is included. The book describes the ways to reduce garbage, in order of preference: Reduce, Reuse, Compost, Recycle.The National Gardening Association. GrowLab: A Complete Guide to Gardening in the Classroom. Burlington, Vt., 1988.Contact: Available at local bookstores
For those who might not have outdoor space, this guide offers ways for kids to get involved in gardening and learn valuable lessons about food, life cycles, and the environment.Ocone, Lynn, and Eve Pranis. The Youth Gardening Book. Burlington, Vt.: National Gardening Association, 1996.Contact: National Gardening Association
180 Flynn Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401
(800) LETSGRO
This is a book about introducing gardening to kids of all ages and includes useful resource information, tips on garden plan ning, and experiments.Scholastic Productions, Inc. The Magic Schoolbus Series. New York.Contact: The National Gardening Association (see above)
The Magic Schoolbus books give children a delightful introduction to science. The books follow the adventures of Ms. Frizzle's elementary-aged class. Class members visit the waterworks, a volcano, the ocean floor, and the insides of the human body. The children are multicultural and very realistic: there is the class clown, the whiner, the junk-food junkie, etc.University of California Cooperative Extension Common Ground Garden Program. Children's Gardens: A Field Guide for Teachers, Parents and Volunteers. Los Angeles: U.C.Magic Schoolbus books have been adapted and expanded into a video series which is broadcast on local PBS stations.
Although the children are elementary-aged, the stories are easily understood and enjoyed by four and five year olds. For example, a preschool teacher used one book to explore the human body with four year olds in her class. Reading about Ms. Frizzle's class travels through the internal organs of a classmate's body helps preschool children make sense of their own bodies and inspires many fun and engaging projects.
Contact: Scholastic Productions, Inc.
555 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
(212) 343-6100
This compact guide offers everything you need to know about setting up a children's garden, from design to activities for kids and adults. It provides hands-on suggestions for ways of incorporating gardens into education about the environment.U.S. Department of the Interior. Water: The Resource that Gets Used and Used and Used for Everything! Denver, Cob.: U.S. Geological Survey, 1993.Contact: Common Ground Garden Program 2615 South Grand Avenue, Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90007
This poster, with accompanying educational activity, is available without charge. Other free publications-posters and brochures on geology, water, mapping and earth science-are also available.Wabash Area Development Inc. Head Start Program. Harmony: The Season, the Sun, the Soil, the Water, the People. Enfield, Ill.: 1994.Contact: U.S. Geological Survey
Information Services
Box 25286, Denver Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225
(800) 435-7627
This 20-page booklet of ideas was put together by staff at the WADI Head Start program. They explore concepts of multiculturalism and suggest themes for activities for each month throughout the school year. They weave ideas about human cultures around the natural features of the different seasons: rain, falling leaves, harvest time, and April showers.Toxics, Risks, and HazardsContact: WADI Head Start
110 North Latham Street
Enfield, IL 62835
(618) 963-2387
Carson, Rachel. Silent Spring. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1962.
If only for its historical significance, this book is worth reading. Some people consider it the catalyst for the environmental protection movement of the 1 960s, which led to the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency and passage of a number of laws still in effect today. However, it is more than a historical book. It is an explanation of natural systems, written by a biologist, but accessible to a layperson. The examples of pesticides' toxic effects on wildlife and human beings are not technical and are emotionally engaging.Children's Environmental Health Network and California Public Health Foundation. Protecting Children from Environmental Health Hazards: A Training Manual for Nurses. Emeryville, Calif.: Children's Environmental Health Network, 1995.Contact: Available at local libraries and bookstores
There are several booklets in this set, and they cover a good range of environmental health issues and skllls. Included are such topics as:Colborn, Theo et. al. Our Stolen Future. New York: Penguin Group, 1997.· Nursing Assessment of the Home for Environmental Health
· Hazardous Household Products
· Incorporating Environmental Health into Patient Histories
· Legal Rights in Environmental Health: Tools to Prevent Toxic ExposuresThey are short enough to be read in a few hours.
Contact: Children's Environmental Health Network
5900 Hollis Street, Suite E.
Emeryville, CA 94608
(510) 450-3818
The subtitle of this book is "A Scientific Detective Story." It tells of the efforts of one scientist, assisted by many others, to figure out why unusual and frightening health and behavior problems were pervasive among wildlife in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. The problems were not cancer, although clearly related to toxic chemicals. Ultimately, the scientists identify a great number of problems-worldwide-affecting the endocrine systems of animals and humans by interfering with normal hormone activity. The variety of chemicals used in insecticides, industrial building materials, and plastics may be causing infertility, immune system disorders, and learning and behavioral difficulties. The book is full of reviews of scientific studies and interesting stories of animal and human life. It concludes with recommendations for study, caution, and special efforts to assure that children's exposure to persistent toxins be kept as low as possible.Landrigan, Phillip, and Herbert Needleman. Raising Children Toxic-Free: How to keep your child safe from lead, asbestos, pesticides, and other environmental hazards. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1994.Contact: Available at local libraries and bookstores
This is a comprehensive book that features basic facts on environmental toxins, as well as information on the physiological systems they affect. The book describes children's special vulnerability to toxicants because of developmental and behavioral factors. Each chapter contains sections on "What Can Parents Do?" and "What Can Pediatricians Do?" which offer practical suggestions for protective actions. These suggestions provide a good balance between personal and community actions.Meadows, Robin. "Growing Pains," Environmental Health Perspectives. Vol. 104, No. 2, February 1996.Contact: Available at local libraries and bookstores.
A great deal of information is packed into this four-page article. It begins with an overview of the differences between children and adults in relationship to environmental risk, and briefly reviews air pollution, pesticides in food, home pesticides, endocrine disrupters, hazardous waste, radiation, and electric and magnetic fields. It includes a special note of caution about poor and minority children.Rodricks, Joseph V. Calculated Risks: Understanding the Toxicity and Human Health Risks of Chemicals in Our Environment. Cambridge, Mass.: Cambridge University Press, 1992.Contact: Large local libraries or university and medical libraries
This book describes how scientists come to understand the toxic properties of chemicals-both naturally occurring and manufactured-and the health risks these chemicals pose. Biological and metabolic processes are described, as are tests that toxicologists use. The author does not advocate for more or less use or regulation of chemicals, but instead gives the reader a great deal of background information.Wiles, Richard et. al. A Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Working Group, 1995.This book would be useful for anyone who wishes to know more about how chemicals affect human physiological processes, how "carcinogenicity" is determined, and what information goes into decisions to set exposure limits for certain chemicals.
Contact: National Environmental Health Association (see Organizations)
The authors analyzed the results of 15,000 samples of food tested for pesticides by the Food and Drug Administration during 1992 and 1993. Then they developed a rating system for the different fruits and vegetables, considering the prevalence of pesticide residues found on the foods, and the neurotoxicity, endocrine-disrupting or carcinogenic properties of each pesticide. The booklet suggests alternative sources of vitamins and other nutrients found in the 12 foods they consider the most contaminated and risky.Communities Building Healthy EnvironmentsAlthough it includes a good deal of technical information, the 46-page publication is organized simply and it is easy to glean the important information.
Contact: Environmental Working Group
1718 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 667-6982
Bullard, Robert, editor. People of Color Environmental Groups. Atlanta, Ga.: Environmental Justice Resource Center, Clark Atlanta University, 1994.
This directory lists more than 300 people of color groups from North America, including Mexico. It describes the history of the environmental justice movement and some current regulations, and tells the stories of several groups that have successfully worked for healthier environments in their own communities.Bullard, Robert, editor. Unequal Protection. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1994.Contact: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
1200 Mott Foundation Blvd.
Flint, MI 48502
(810) 766-1766
This collection of essays was written for anyone who is interested in environment and justice. Parts I and II describe the plight of poor communities of color who discover and struggle against contamination of their land, air, and water. Part III examines some of the emerging alliances, coalitions, and networks between grassroots and mainstream environmental and social justice groups. The writers describe the tragedy of racism as applied through environmental contamination, and celebrate the success of "rainbow coalitions" who have achieved some justice for those disproportionately affected by 20th century industrial processes.Rivkln, Mary S. The Great Outdoors: Restoring Children's Right to Play Outside. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), 1995.Contact: Available at local libraries and bookstores
Mary Rivkin has written a thorough book that discusses the philosophy of why children need the outdoors and what out doors means in city and in rural areas. She describes the patterns of development and lifestyle that have deprived children of their right to play outdoors and offers suggestions on how to reclaim that right for them: through safe structures, conflict resolution on the playground, environmental education, and traffic-calming streets.OrganizationsAlthough this book is focused on school-aged children in the primary grades, the philosophy, background information, and community change strategies would be applicable in Head Start.
Contact: NAEYC
1509 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
(800) 424-2460
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
P.O. Box 12233
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
(919) 541-3484
National Center for Environmental Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Mailstop F28
4770 Buford Highway, NE
Atlanta, GA 30341-3724
(770) 488-7300
The preceding two organizations are the lead agencies for the envi ronmental health section of Healthy People 2000, the national ef fort toward disease and injury prevention and health promotion. These two agencies are good places to start looking for information and activities related to environmental health.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Public Information Center
401 M Street, SW, MC 3404, Room M2904
Washington, D.C. 20460
(202) 260-2080
This federal agency's mission is to protect the nation's land, air, and water systems and it is responsible for the enforcement of most of our country's environmental laws. EPA also provides a great deal of public education on environmental issues. Call the national office for the phone number of the regional office in your area, or check in the government section of your local phone book under U.S. Gov ernment.
Toxic Substance Control Act Assistance Information Service Hotline
(202) 554-1404
The hotline provides technical assistance and information about programs implemented under specific laws related to toxic substances, lead, asbestos, and pollution prevention.
Consumer Products Safety Commission Washington, D.C. 20207
(800) 638-2772 - Hotline to report hazardous products or injuries
Office of Information and Public Affairs
4330 East-West Highway,
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 504-0580
CPSC's mission is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The commission was established in 1973. CPSC publishes a number of consumer information brochures, including several on indoor air quality.
Children's Environmental Health Network
5900 Hollis Street, Suite E
Emeryville, CA 94608
(510) 450-3818
CEHN is a national project dedicated to pediatric environmental health. The network is the only national multidisciplinary and multi cultural project in the country whose sole purpose is to protect the environmental health of children. CEHN' s mission is to promote a healthy environment and to protect the fetus and child from environmental hazards. CEHN offers publications and conferences.
National Migrant Resource Program. Inc.
1515 Capital of Texas Highway South, Suite 220
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 328-7682
NMRP's mission is to improve the health status of farm worker families through the innovative application of human, technical and informational resources. The program has a library of publications, statistics, and newspaper clippings and offers outreach work by "consejeras," who take to the field to train workers on potential hazards such as breast or cervical cancers.
Agriculture in the Classroom
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Room 4307-S
Washington D.C. 20250-099 1
(202) 720-7925
Each state has a coordinator for this program, originated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program's goal is to help students understand the role of agriculture in the economy and society. AITC offers free materials such as coloring books, lesson plans (for elementary and high schools), maps, posters, photographs, slide shows, and films. Regular workshops and conferences are held for teachers. AITC can help arrange farm visits and agribusiness tours and supply news about local agricultural fairs.
National Environmental Health Association
720 5. Colorado Blvd., Suite 970, South Tower
Denver, CO 80246
(303) 756-9090
NEHA represents all professionals in environmental health, including registered sanitarians, environmental health specialists, certified environmental health technicians, and certified hazardous materials professionals. Educational materials, publications, credentials, and meetings are available to NEHA members as well as to all profes sionals who work to improve the environment and to improve health and quality of life.
Urban Ecology
405 14th Street, Suite 701
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 251-6330
This nonprofit grassroots organization works on environmental issues by sharing information about model projects from around the world, and working to improve and maintain the health of urban environments in its local area. UE members hold the strong belief that cities can and should be vital, healthy, and exciting environ ments for children and adults.
Food First-Institute for Food and Development Policy
398 60th Street
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 654-4400
E-mail: foodfirst@agc.apc.org
The organization was started by Frances Moore Lappe, author of Diet for A Small Planet. It uses research, analysis, and advocacy to promote the kind of social change that could eliminate "the injus tices of hunger." In addition to offering publications that seek to debunk myths about hunger, Food First aims to provide tools for change. They are active in promoting urban farming.
Pesticide Action Network
116 New Montgomery, #810
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 541-9140
This organization works to eliminate poisonous pesticides. It mobilizes worldwide campaigns of consumer, labor, health, environment, and agriculture groups to advance safer, ecologically sound pest control alternatives.
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
40 West 20th Street
New York, NY 1001 1-4211
(212) 242-0100
E-mail: mothers @igc.apc.org
This membership organization administers a consumer education program that encourages choices of products that are safe and ecologically sustainable for current and future generations. The organization issues books, reports, and a number of fact sheets. It also publishes The Green Guide newsletter, which is sent to members 15 times a year and includes articles on environmental activities and advertisements from companies that share the organization's philosophies.
American Lung Association
1740 Broadway
New York, NY 10019-4374
(212) 315-8700
This voluntary health agency advocates for clean air and services for those with lung conditions. They offer classes and educational materials on smoking cessation, asthma management, and air quality. There are local chapters throughout the country.