Improving Kids' Environment News (blog)

Children's Environmental Health Newsletter - December 2012

Jennifer Tornatta — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:51:02 GMT

Season's Greetings from IKE
Indiana Chosen for the 2012 AAFA Honor Roll
Report from Pediatricians Regarding Pesticides
Survey Finds Dangerous Toys Remain on Store Shelves
IKE is Looking for an Intern

We wanted to take a monent at this busy time to say Season's Greetings! We hope you are enjoying the holiday season with your family and friends. At this time of year we are all reminded of the joy of giving and how the perfect gift will make someone's day. Here at Improving Kids' Environment the perfect gift is showing your support for children's environmental health. With your help (S upporting IKE), IKE can continue its important work protecting children from hazardous materials such as lead and pesticides and ensuring they grow up in safe and healthy environments. Enjoy the rest of the season and from all of us at Improving Kids' Environment, we wish you Happy Holidays and great joy in the New Year!

Indiana was recently chosen for the 2012 AAFA Honor Roll™ by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), who assesses state-level school policies regarding asthma and allergies.

The report released in late October, recognizes progress where it is happening and provides a blueprint for advocates and policymakers to improve policies nationwide.

Overall, Indiana meets fifteen of eighteen core policy standards and ten of fifteen extra credit indicators. See the entire report at State Honor Roll™ of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools

Children encounter pesticides every day and are uniquely vulnerable to their toxicity. A new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) outlines the harmful effects of pesticides on children and makes recommendations on how to reduce exposure. The policy statement, “Pesticide Exposure in Children,” and an accompanying technical report are published in the December 2012 issue of Pediatrics.

Source

Leigh DeNoon, 11/27/2012

According to a recent article on the Public News Service – Indiana, toys that make loud noises, contain high levels of toxic substances, or have small parts that pose a choking risk are the focus of this year's "Trouble in Toyland" report from the Public Interest Research Group Education Fund (PIRG).

PIRG says toy safety has improved in the 27 years PIRG has been doing its survey, but dangerous toys are still being found regularly on store shelves. Such toys with lead content above the 100-parts-per-million legal limit. They also found high levels of chemicals known as phthalates. Used to make plastic softer, phthalates have been linked in various studies to adverse developmental and reproductive health issues.

Improving Kids Environment is currently seeking a communications/marketing intern with an interest in environmental health, to assist with the development of a major branding and marketing effort in the new year. This position provides an exciting opportunity to be a major player in the design of new marketing materials for IKE, assisting an experienced development consultant with branding and logo design and developing press releases and media stories.

For more information on this opportunity click here.

Support IKE | Facebook | Twitter |Website

Communications/Marketing Intern Needed

Jennifer Tornatta — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:18:30 GMT

IKE is looking for a Communications/Marketing Intern to help us with our current and growing needs. Please see the description below:

Communications/Marketing Intern

Improving Kids’ Environment (IKE) is seeking an intern to a take on the tasks of developing and implementing a communications and marketing plan. This person must be passionate about children’s health issues as they pertain to the environment, and be able to fulfill duties with little supervision.

IKE is a non-profit organization that works to reduce and remove environment threats to children and families. IKE works to make information about environmental threats in the community easily available, pursues special projects to reduce children’s exposure to pollution and toxic chemicals and advocates for change in public policy to improve environmental quality.

Responsibilities/Deliverables

Assists in the writing and implementation of a marketing plan
Design and revision of educational materials
Assist in developing a solid “case for support” for IKE that defines the relationship between children and environmental threats
Assist in the reorganization of the website
Develop slogans, tag lines, catchy phrases, etc. for marketing use that depict the organization’s mission
Assist in the ‘branding’ of IKE (logo, materials)
Writing of Spring newsletter
Research and write several human interest stories as they pertain to the mission of IKE
Find/take new photos that relate to children’s environmental health
Update IKE’s media packet and design a press release packet
Develop a media contact book, listing all possible radio, TV, newspapers in our area and contact information
Work with the Executive Director to develop media policy for IKE
Attend public events that showcase the organization

Skills and Knowledge

undergrad student; masters level student preferred
Outgoing with exceptional interpersonal and cultural awareness skills
Good at public speaking and working within a public venue
Excellent writing, editing and organizational skills
Ability to work on own with light supervision
Excellent eye for graphic design and high creativity
Familiar with children’s environmental health issues;
Familiar with non-profit structure; knowledge of Central Indiana communities preferred
Internet and social media skills
Knowledge of publisher and other graphic design programs a plus
Car and driver’s license required

To apply for the position please email ike@ikecoalition.org with your resume and cover letter. This is an unpaid internship opportunity.

Children’s Environmental Health Newsletter – August 2012

Jennifer Tornatta — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:13:01 GMT

2012 Indiana Healthy Homes & Childcare Conference
EPA Integrated Pest Management Grant Awarded to IKE!
Lead-Based Paint: The Law in Indiana - Updated Manual Ready from IKE
Indiana Passes Smoke-Free Air Law
State of the Young Hoosier Child Environmental Health Report - 2012
Is Now Available!

Again this year, IKE is presenting the Indiana Healthy Homes & Childcare Conference. It will be held at Marten House and Lily Conference Center on October 3rd and 4th. This year’s conference will examine many hidden health hazards found in our everyday environments. Also, the conference will continue to explore health risks such as lead, bed bugs, and asthma.

Some of our Breakout Sessions Include:

Pets and the Environment
Green Cleaning
How Heat Waves Affect Health
Child Care Directors Recalling Disasters
Safe Kids IN Program from Riley Hospital
Hear from the Bed Bug Whisperer
Sun Safety for Children
Importance of a Medical Home when Caring for Asthma
School Indoor Air Quality Rules
Preschool Recycling Curriculum in a Box
Lead Inspector Renewal Course Offered
PLUS MUCH MORE!

Also, a pre-conference Healthy Homes Essentials Training class will be available at
Environmental Management Institute on October 1st and 2nd.

You can register for the conference or find additional information by going to
www.ikecoalition.org/2012conference.

Improving Kids’ Environment (IKE) is excited to announce that in May it received funding from
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to continue bringing Integrated Pest Management
(IPM) into schools in Indiana for the next two years! In addition, the Maternal Child Health
department of the Indiana State Department of Health, has provided supplemental funds to
assist IKE in this important program.

IPM uses preventive measures to reduce pests while minimizing the need for pesticides. Pests
and pesticides negatively impact children’s health. Cockroach and rodent leavings can trigger
asthma; mosquitoes and flies can carry diseases; and bees and wasps sting. However,
pesticide exposure can also be harmful to our children’s health! Most insecticides are
neurotoxic, which means that they can alter the normal activity of the nervous system causing
possible limb weakness or numbness, memory, vision, and/or intellect problems, obsessive
and/or compulsive behaviors, headache and cognitive and behavioral problems. In addition,
in both insects and humans, and some rodent poison can cause serious bleeding.

IKE is working with the EPA as part of a coordinated national effort to develop a viable model
throughout the nation. There are only 5 other groups who also received the EPA-IPM
funding. In July, Dr. Indra Frank, representing IKE, attended a 2 –day meeting with the EPA
the other grant awardees and many national experts and EPA-IPM personnel. Efforts for
school pest management from all across the country were discussed, and work toward the
development of a national model began. Indra reported on IKE’s work and returned armed with
fresh ideas from the reports of the other groups.

With this funding, IKE and partners at Ohio State University will work intensively one-on-one
with 10 schools in Indiana and Ohio to safely reduce pest problems and institute preventive
measures. This funding will also help IKE continue the Indiana IPM Schools Coalition including a
series of IPM workshops and newsletters for school facilities personnel.

Anyone interested in receiving information about the workshops and school IPM can sign up by
clicking ‘Join us’ at http://ikecoalition.org and then selecting the Indiana IPM Schools Coalition.

For more information about Integrated Pest Management issues click here.

Improving Kids’ Environment is excited to announce the 2102 revision of the manual Lead-based Paint: The Law in Indiana. This manual includes knowledge and guidance regarding lead paint and children’s health, the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants and buyers and sellers as well as a section on the prevention and maintenance, repair and renovation of buildings where lead is found. The critical role of the local, state and federal government is also included.

The intended audience for this manual includes:

Judges and other court personnel who may have a case involving lead paint or lead poisoning;
Elected officials in a position to make policy decisions for their jurisdiction;
Attorneys representing families with lead poisoned children or lead hazards in their home;
City or county attorneys and employees of local public Health or Housing departments who work to identify and reduce threats of lead poisoning
Landlords, property owners and managers, real estate agents and building contractors who need to know their rights and responsibilities.

Significant updates to the manual since 2006 include:

New case law from 2010 and 2011 involving a Decatur County landlord - tenant Dispute, regarding failure to provide notice of lead hazards and the successful application in Vanderburgh County of state nuisance law to require cleanup of lead-contaminated rental property;
New 2010 and 2011 updates to federal Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requirements for contractors working on pre-1978 housing and child occupied facilities;
New state and federal laws protecting consumers from lead in consumer homes, such as toys, jewelry, candy, clothing and home décor;
New state law and rules requiring paint retailers to be trained and to provide accurate information to consumers about working safely with lead paint; and
Centralization of primary responsibility for lead poisoning prevention in Indiana within the Indiana State Department of Health.

Preparation and publication of this manual was funded by the Indiana State Department of Health Lead and Healthy Homes Program, with financial support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The original 2006 version of this document was prepared by Janet McCabe, then-Executive Director of Improving Kids’ Environment, under a contract with the Indiana State Department of Health. Supplements were issued in 2007 and 2008 to provide updates on new laws. This version of the manual incorporates the supplements from 2007 and 2008 and includes additional changes in federal and state law and rules. It was compiled by Jodi Perras.

To download of copy the manual Click Here.

As of July 1, 2012, Indiana legislators passed House Enrolled Act No. 1149 - Indiana's first addition, statewide smoke free air law, which bans smoking in nearly addition, public places in the state, including restaurants and other workplaces.

In addiition, signs are required to be posted at all public entrances of enclosed public places and places of employment. Signs must read “State Law Prohibits Smoking within 8 Feet of this Entrance” or other similar language. Signs are available online at www.in.gov/atc.

A new website called Smoke Free Indiana was created to help Hoosier residents and business owners understand the new law at www.smokefreein.com. A business that is not exempt from the state law must post required signage, remove indoor ashtrays and other smoking receptacles, and direct any person who is smoking to extinguish the cigarette, cigar, or other lighted tobacco item. Smoking is still allowed in bars and taverns, tobacco retail shops, cigar and hookah bars, state licensed gaming facilities, horse track facilities and certain membership clubs.

According to a statewide survey done in January, 2012, by Public Opinion Strategies they found that among Indiana voters:

•· 85 percent believe that secondhand smoke is a health hazard, including 58 percent who say it is a serious health hazard.

•· 71 percent believe the right of employees and customers to breathe clean air in restaurants and bars is more important than the right of smokers to smoke and businesses owners to allow smoking.

•· 84 percent feel all workers should be protected from exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace.

The purpose of the Indiana Smoke Free Air Law is to protect Hoosiers from the harmful effects of exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, including 200 known poisons and 43 cancer-causing agents. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified secondhand smoke as a cause of cancer in humans.

Related Links:

Read the entire Bill: www.in.gov/lesgilative/bills/2012/HE/HE1149

File a complaint: The complaint form is found at: http://www.in.gov/atc/2640.htm. Only complaints concerning the state smoking law will be investigated. For a violation of a local city, town, or county smoking ordinance, please contact the appropriate city, town, or county government agency directly.

Quit tobacco use: http://www.in.gov/quitline/.

Indiana Joint Asthma Coalition: www.injac.org

In 2011, Improving Kids’ Environment was asked by the Sunny Start: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Initiative to prepare a report on the environmental health of the children of Indiana, as a companion piece to the State of the Young Hoosier Child Report. Because of the many environmental health threats to children today, it became a much longer report, containing valuable information on the state of our Indiana children’s environmental health and where they grow, play and learn.

Some highlights of the report include:

A review of what we know about children’s health issues and how they link to the environment (lead poisoning, birth defects, cancer);
The quality of Indiana’s air - both indoor and outdoor; and its effects on the health of children
Looking at the water children drink, swim and play in;
Reviews of information about the quality of housing, neighborhoods, schools and child care facilities and how environmental threats exist that can be harmful; and
Key overall findings from the Sunny Start Environmental Committee.

A few of the key findings of the state of environmental health for children in Indiana include:

Young children between the ages of 0 – 5 are the most susceptible to environmental health hazards;
Even though lead poising rates have dropped since 1970, they are still very high in neighborhoods where older housing is not well maintained due to poverty.
In the past 5 years, the number of children in Indiana with asthma has increased, and is now higher than the national average! Asthma is the third leading cause of hospitalization in Indiana.
Young children who eat fish caught form Indiana’s lakes, reservoirs and ponds have a high risk of exposure to lead and PCBs. Of lakes and ponds monitored by the state, over 80% showed high levels of these toxins in the fish.
Policymakers must be made aware of the fact that young children are being exposed on a daily basis to environmental toxins in their air, soil and often in their own houses.

To download the entire report click here.

You can also find the report at www.sunnystart.in.gov/eh

The Sunny Start: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Initiative is a comprehensive, collaborative, statewide effort to support a coordinated system of resources and supports children from birth through age five in Indiana. The goal of the project is to ensure that Indiana’s children arrive at school healthy and ready to learn.

We have been challenged by a generous donor to Match the Donation!

You Can Help!

By donating money to IKE and selecting Match the Donor, you are helping us reach our goal! Donate Now!

New Project Manager Position

Jennifer Tornatta — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 14:17:04 GMT

Improving Kids' Environment is excited to announce that we are currently looking for a full-time Project Manager. See below for the description, qualifications and how to apply.

Job Description

The Project Manager will

Oversee a team to organize IKE’s work for IPM in Indiana schools, including managing a major grant for school IPM from the Environmental Protection Agency;
coordinate and grow the Indiana IPM Schools Coalition;
plan and produce IPM workshops for Indiana school personnel;
assist with planning IKE’s annual Healthy Homes and Childcare Conference;
work with the Indiana State Health Department (ISDH) on the Sunny Start Program and the Healthy Homes Task Force.

The project manager will report to IKE’s executive director. Travel to schools in different parts of Indiana and some in Ohio is required. The starting annual salary is $43,000. Benefits are negotiable.

Qualifications

IKE is seeking a project manager with excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as a personal commitment to children’s environmental health. Candidates should possess the following essential qualifications:

Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental studies, public health or other related field
Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well in a team setting
Demonstrated writing skills
Knowledge of or experience with environmental health issues
Successful grant-management and/or project management experience

The following qualifications are preferred:

Experience working in a non-profit organization
Experience working with state, city and county governments and agencies
Experience working in schools
Experience working with diverse populations
Experience in pest management especially IPM
Demonstrated ability to build and work with a coalition
Experience organizing conferences, seminars, or workshops

Application Process

Applications must be received on or before August 1, 2012. Applicants should provide a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and a list of three references. The materials should be sent to IKE by email to jtornatta@ikecoalition.org.

Improving Kids’ Environment is an equal opportunity employer.

Legislative Alert - House Bill 1091 Seeks to Scare Factory Farm Neighbors

Jodi Perras — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:28:59 GMT

From our friend at Indiana CAFO Watch, Barbara Sha Cox, and Kim Ferraro of the Hoosier Environmental Council:

Alerting you to concerns about House Bill 1091, which is scheduled for a hearing tomorrow, Jan 10th at 8:30 am in Room 156C at the State House. The bill will be heard by the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. Rep. Friend is the author of bill and Rep. Lehe is co-author.

Here is the link to the bill:

http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2012&request=getBill&docno=1091

If enacted, this bill will have a chilling effect on communities and individuals affected by factory farms – preventing them exercising their legal rights against a nuisance caused by the farm. If a neighbor loses in a nuisance lawsuit, they run the real risk of having to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in punitive damages and the farm’s legal fees, as well.

The Indiana Trial Rules already allow claims for bringing frivolous lawsuits and attorneys are already bound by professional ethics rules that prohibit them from filing frivolous lawsuits. Therefore, HB 1091 is completely unnecessary and serves only to provide further liability protections for industrial agriculture.

Please contact your legislator about this bill. The members of the Agricultural and Rural Committee are as follows:

Rep Lehe h15@in.gov Chr. Rep Bacon h75@in.gov Members are Rep Baird h44@in.gov Rep Davisson h73@in.gov Rep Friend h23@in.gov Rep Frye h67@in.gov Rep Gutwein h16@in.gov Rep Knollman h55@in.gov Rep Pflum h56@in.gov Rep Battles h64@in.gov Rep Cheatham h69@in.gov Rep Goodin h66@in.gov Rep Grubb h42@in.gov

Do not have time to email? Call 1-800-382-9842 or 1-800-382-9841

Children’s Environmental Health Newsletter – January 2012

Jodi Perras — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:12:15 GMT

New_Changes

Children’s Environmental Health Newsletter – January 2012

In this Issue:

New Changes to Indiana’s Lead-Based Paint Program Rules
Congress & CDC Slash Funding for State & Local Lead Programs
Comings and Goings at IKE and ISDH
Federal Rules Place Ticking Clock on Aging Power Plants
EPA Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Power Plants
EPA Cross-State Air Pollution Rule & Indiana Power Plants
Indiana Commission for Higher Education Endorses IU Request to Create Public Health Schools

Research News:

Panel Concurs that Effects of Lead Poisoning Are Seen at Lower Blood-Lead Levels
The Science of Disproportionate Environmental Health Impacts
Endocrine disrupting chemicals and disease susceptibility
New Version of Pediatric Environmental Health Available
The Children’s Environmental Health Network Conference

Children's Environmental Health Resources:

Locate Certified Renovation Firms
Fact Sheet for Bed Bug Prevention
EPA Launches Child Care Resource Website
Webinar: Environmental Management of Pediatric Asthma Available On-line
FDA Guide on Risk Communication
New APHA Film Provides History of Public and Environmental Health in the US

New Changes to Indiana’s Lead-Based Paint Program Rules

In 2011, the Indiana State Department of Health promulgated a revised rule for the Lead-Based Paint Program (410 IAC 32). This rule is expected to be published in the Indiana Register in January, and will take effect 30 days after publication. The revised rule:

Adds definitions for lead-water hazard, lead clearance examiner, renovation, maintenance and remediation
Creates a dust lead hazard level for window troughs: 400 micrograms per square foot based on wipe samples.
Requires that soil lead levels over 5000 parts per million (ppm) must be abated
Provides an option for on-line training classes for the lecture portion of initial and refresher classes for various lead-related disciplines
Requires all risk assessments, lead inspections and lead hazard screens and clearances be submitted to the state

Once this rule is fully implemented, Indiana will be able to determine the total number of inspections done for lead hazards, what kind of lead hazards are being identified and what properties are remediated. All housing authorities and weatherization programs should already be reporting this information, so the rule will capture the work of private inspectors. Housing professionals will have access to all of the inspection results in their area, which will hopefully eliminate duplication and encourage collaboration. Licensed individuals that fail to comply with this new provision will be subject to having their license suspended or revoked. You can view the revised rule by searching for LSA document number 10-734 in the Indiana Register (found online at www.http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/irtoc.htm). Congratulations to ISDH’s David McCormick for his work on this rule.

Congress & CDC Slash Funding for State & Local Lead Poisoning Programs

In December, the House, Senate, and Obama Administration agreed to a spending plan for FY12 that provides only $2 million for CDC’s Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. This means that CDC has no funds for the renewal of the current funding for states; the current funding, for the first year of a three-year cooperative agreement for each funded state, runs through August 2012.

The managers’ report accompanying the appropriations bill reads: “The conferees intend that the funds provided for the CDC lead poisoning program be used to maintain expertise and analysis at the national level and to provide a resource for States and localities.” The report rejected the CDC Director’s proposed merger of asthma and lead-healthy homes programs.

What does this mean for Indiana? ISDH and local health departments are guaranteed funding through August 2012, but CDC-funded grants to local health departments will end after that. Losing CDC funds and the lack of Medicaid reimbursement for federally mandated activities closes down programs that have been champions in the fight against lead poisoning in Indiana for almost 15 years. ISDH is looking at options for the Lead & Healthy Homes Program, but drastic change seems inevitable. Many local health departments depend on CDC funding for the lead poisoning prevention programs, while others are self-funded. IKE will be monitoring the effects of these cuts on Indiana’s lead poisoning prevention programs and the children they serve.

Comings and Goings

IKE Executive Director Jodi Perras has announced that she will be leaving IKE in 2012 to return to her communications and public relations business, Perras & Associates. Jodi is staying on until IKE’s Board of Directors completes its search for a new executive director. Watch the IKE website and Facebook and Twitter feeds for news about the job posting.

IKE was disappointed to learn that David McCormick is leaving the ISDH Lead and Healthy Homes Program, but congratulates him on becoming director of the ISDH Immunization program as of Jan. 9. David, an IKE Advisory Board member, has helped Indiana become a nationally respected leader in lead and healthy homes programs. We wish him well in his new job and hope to continue our partnership with him on children’s environmental health issues.

IKE congratulates Dr. Judith Ganser, medical director of ISDH, on her planned retirement from the State Department of Health after many years of service. Dr. Ganser will be leaving the agency in February. IKE has enjoyed working with Dr. Ganser under the ISDH Sunny Start Initiative, which seeks to ensure that all children are healthy and ready to learn when they arrive at school.

Federal Rules Place Ticking Clock on Aging Power Plants

Two federal air pollution rules are causing utilities to evaluate the future lifespans of their aging coal-fired power plants. The Cross-State Air Pollution Rule and the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards will place long-overdue restrictions on pollution from power plants in Indiana and other states. Although a federal appeals court has placed a hold on the cross-state rule, Indiana utilities must see the writing on the wall when it comes to aging coal-fired plants.

Mercury and Air Toxics Standards: Until U.S. EPA announced its final rule on Dec. 21, there were no federal standards that require power plants to limit their emissions of toxic air pollutants like mercury, arsenic and metals - despite the availability of proven control technologies, and the more than 20 years since the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments passed. The new rules will start requiring emission reductions in 2015.

As many as one in ten U.S. women of childbearing age have mercury levels high enough to put their developing children at risk, according to a U.S. EPA study. The rule was supported not only by environmental and public health groups, but also by civil rights and faith-based organizations such as Interfaith Power & Light, the Evangelical Environmental Network and the NAACP.

Indiana ranks 4th in the nation in mercury emitted from coal-fired plants, the biggest source of mercury in our state. Mercury and other toxic air pollutants emitted from these plants fall from the sky in the air we breathe, ending up in our lakes and streams and contaminating fish.

The best thing we can do to protect our children from mercury is to find cleaner sources of energy. IKE applauds the new U.S. EPA standards that will cut 90 percent of the mercury from coal plants and cut other toxic emissions. Retiring or cleaning up older coal-fired power plants, switching to cleaner energy sources and conserving electricity will reduce mercury emissions in Indiana. As seen in neighboring states such as Illinois, mercury can be reduced significantly without threatening our electricity supply and reliability, if we have the will to do it.

Congratulations to EPA’s Gina McCarthy and IKE’s former executive director Janet McCabe in the EPA Office of Air and Radiation for shepherding this much-needed rule through the process. EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/airquality/powerplanttoxics/index.html provides a very helpful summary of the rule and what it will do to improve public health. It also includes a map of power plants affected by the rule, including quite a few plants in and around Indiana.

Cross-State Air Pollution Rule: On July 6, 2011, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that protects the health of millions of Americans by helping states reduce air pollution and attain clean air standards. This rule, known as the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), requires states to significantly improve air quality by reducing power plant emissions that contribute to ozone and/or fine particle pollution in other states.

The rule requires significant reductions in sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxide (NO_X) emissions that cross state lines. These pollutants react in the atmosphere to form fine particles and ground-level ozone and are transported long distances, making it difficult for other states to achieve national air quality standards.

On Dec. 30, a federal appeals court temporarily blocked the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, leaving an existing air pollution reduction program in place for at least several months (EME Homer City Generation L.P. v. EPA, D.C. Cir., No. 11-1302). The Clean Air Interstate Rule will continue to regulate interstate transport of power plant emissions.

IKE attended an IDEM stakeholder meeting on the cross-state rule on Oct. 19. The rule will allow utilities to buy and sell pollution credits for nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, but utilities at the meeting seemed to indicate that it would be difficult to find pollution credits on the market. The general consensus: units in Indiana will either have to shut down, operate less or buy credits from out-of-state companies. According to IDEM staff, they don’t know where the 18,000 credits needed by Indiana power plants will come from.

For more information on the cross-state rule, see EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/crossstaterule/

Other Indiana News

Indiana Commission for Higher Education Endorses IU Request to Create Public Health Schools: The Indiana Commission for Higher Education approved Indiana University's request to establish two new schools of public health; one at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis and the other at IU Bloomington. The establishment of the new schools, which must be approved by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the public health accrediting body, is part of the IU Public Health Initiative, an effort by the university to address pressing health needs across a state that traditionally ranks poorly in major public health benchmarks such as obesity, tobacco use, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This also will open significant new research opportunities for the university and its faculty.

IKE Board Member Colleen J. McCormick, has been named director of the new IUPUI Office of Sustainability. Colleen will be working on a number of goals for the new Office of Sustainability, which include helping develop a coherent, campus-wide sustainability program by coordinating academic, research, operations, and student activities; developing and managing a program of environmental stewardship, energy conservation, applied environmental science and policy research, environmental literacy, and community outreach; and promoting a culture of sustainability throughout campus and, when possible, connecting with the local community to educate and enrich it.

Research News

Panel Concurs that Effects of Lead Poisoning Are Seen at Lower Blood-Lead Levels: For many years, local governments have used a threshold of 10 micrograms per decileter as the action level for stepping in to help lead-poisoned children with case management services. Now, evidence and expert opinion suggests that action threshold should be lowered. A nine-member independent peer review panel, convened by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), reviewed the Draft NTP Monograph on Health Effects of Low-level Lead. The panel concurred with the overall NTP conclusion that “there is sufficient evidence for adverse health effects in children and adults at blood Pb levels below 10µg/dL [micrograms per deciliter] and below 5 µg/dL as well.” The panel agreed that lead exposures below 10µg/dL are associated with cardiovascular, renal, and immune health outcomes. The reviewers suggested changing the draft summary conclusions of sufficient evidence for associations with neurological effects in children, and reproductive effects in adult women, including reduced fetal growth and lower birth weight, from 10µg/dL to 5µg/dL. The draft monogram that the panel reviewed is available at: http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/NTP/ohat/Lead/DraftNTPMonographonHealthEffectsofLowLevelLead.pdf.

The Science of Disproportionate Environmental Health Impacts: On March 17-19, 2010, EPA held a symposium on environmental justice research and decision making called: Strengthening Environmental Justice Research and Decision Making: A Symposium on the Science of Disproportionate Environmental Health Impacts. The Symposium examined factors that help explain why some populations, particularly minority, low income, and tribal populations, are exposed to greater environmental pollution. The Symposium also focused on why some populations experience greater environmental health risks from environmental pollution. Discussions at the Symposium also focused on how this knowledge can be considered in the governmental decision-making process. Following the Symposium, EPA commissioned fourteen scientific reviews that are now published in the American Journal of Public Health at this link: http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/101/S1. EPA also developed an update report (PDF) (73 pp, 1.69MB) to highlight ongoing and future actions by the agency in response to suggestions by Symposium participants and environmental justice advocates.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals and disease susceptibility: This study by Thaddeus T. Schug, Amanda Janesick, Bruce Blumberg, Jerrold J. Heindel in the The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Volume 127, Issues 3-5, November 2011, Pages 204-215) focuses on chemical exposures during early development of children. Some highlights of the study:

Chemical exposures during development can alter disease susceptibility later in life.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, cardiovascular, metabolic and immune effects in humans.
EDCs interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, activity, or elimination of natural hormones.

Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096007601100166X

New Version of Pediatric Environmental Health Available: The new 3rd edition of Pediatric Environmental Health, the landmark American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guide to the identification, prevention, and treatment of pediatric environmental health problems is now available. The new edition has been completely revised and expanded, addressing topics such as birth defects, global climate change, plasticizers, the precautionary principle, and more. From asbestos to radiation, ultraviolet rays, pesticides, asthma, lead, tobacco, and child care and school environments, this new edition includes current information on an exhaustive range of environmental health issues. The publication is available in print or eBook at the AAP online bookstore: https://www.nfaap.org/netFORUM/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=aapbks_productdetail&key=76bae074-b6dd-433d-b9db-d28de809a13b

The Children’s Environmental Health Network Conference: The Children’s Environmental Health Network has announced “The Contribution of Epigenetics in Pediatric Environmental Health” conference will be held Wednesday, May 30, 2012 Friday, June 01, 2012 in San Francisco, California. The conference will highlight the role of epigenetics in determining the impact of the environment on pediatric disease and children’s current and future health. This conference is intended for research scientists in the fields of environmental health, epidemiology, and environmental toxicology, as well as for public health professionals. Students in these disciplines are encouraged to register. Abstracts are currently being accepted through March 2, 2012. For more information see http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=982260

Children’s Environmental Health Resources

Locate Certified Renovation Firms: The EPA is making it easier for consumers to identify renovation, repair and painting firms certified by EPA. To locate Certified Renovation Firms in your area, see http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_firm.htm

Fact Sheet for Bed Bug Prevention: The University of Minnesota developed a fact sheet for the public on how to protect themselves from bed bugs during the holidays. Although the holidays are over, the precautionary tips are still useful and can be used for Super Bowl parties or any gathering of family and friends. You can access this holiday bed bug web site at this link: http://www.bedbugs.umn.edu/holidays/index.htm

EPA Launches Child Care Resource Website: U.S. EPA has launched a healthy child care web-based resource directory at: http://epa.gov/childcare/. This website was developed for childcare providers, parents, and state and local agencies. On the web site you will find links to various resources on asthma, chemical hazards, environmental tobacco smoke, green cleaning, indoor air quality, lead, mercury, mold, pesticides and plastics.

Webinar: Environmental Management of Pediatric Asthma Available On-line: An archived version of the Environmental Management of Pediatric Asthma webinar is now available on the National Environmental Education Foundation's (NEEF) website: http://www.neefusa.org/health/asthma/index.htm. The webinar, which was held on November 9, 2011, was co-hosted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's National Asthma Control Initiative (NACI) and NEEF, a NACI Strategic Partner, and presented by Joel Forman, M.D. of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The webinar includes an overview of asthma triggers, how to take an environmental history for a child with asthma, and intervention strategies pediatric health care providers can offer to their patients.

FDA Guide on Risk Communication: Communicating environmental risk is difficult. The Food and Drug Administration has developed a new resource, "Communicating Risks and Benefits: An Evidence Based User's Guide," from its Risk Communication Advisory Committee and consultants. The guide shares pointers on communication design, summaries of scientific foundations of risk communication techniques, and tips for evaluating communications in a range of budgets. This book is available as a free PDF download at: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/ReportsManualsForms/Reports/UCM268069.pdf

New APHA Film Provides History of Public and Environmental Health in the US: APHA’s Environment Section has produced a new short film that presents a historical overview of public and environmental health in the U.S. over the past century. Through key milestones in history, the video illustrates how taking the public health approach to improving the environment has reduced the risk of infectious disease, improved occupational standards and created policies that keep us, our families and our communities healthy. The video can be seen here http://vimeo.com/32226544

Donate to IKE: Support this newsletter and IKE's work with a donation today. Now more than ever, we need support from you to continue protecting children from environmental threats.

Happy New Year from Improving Kids' Environment

Jodi Perras — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:52:57 GMT

Dear Friend of IKE,

All of us at Improving Kids' Environment wish you a very Happy New Year.

Looking back at 2011, we saw progress on some key children's environmental health issues, but there is much work ahead in 2012, and your support will help us achieve even more success. Our accomplishments in 2011 include:

Working with the Indiana State Department of Health to prepare a report on the state of environmental health for Hoosier children, ages 0-5. Young children are most at risk from environmental threats, and this report will highlight those issues and how parents and policymakers can protect children.
Improving environmental conditions in Indiana's child care facilities. The Indiana General Assembly has blocked attempts to strengthen requirements, so IKE took action to educate child care providers. More than 60 child care providers attended our Healthy Homes and Child Care Conference in October to learn about bed bugs, lead poisoning prevention, asthma, and general health and safety. IKE and the Lead-Safe and Healthy Homes Task Force are working with the State Department of Health and Family and Social Services Administration to develop additional outreach materials and on-line training for child care providers.
Advocating for environmental justice in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood in Indianapolis. IKE is working on lead poisoning and air pollution issues with the neighborhood through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Also, IKE's efforts to increase awareness in the community and encourage police involvement have helped to deter illegal dumping, long a source of frustration to community residents. Neighborhood complaints about illegal dumping are down 25 percent compared to last year. Thanks to the Indianapolis Foundation for supporting this work.
Working to reduce children's exposure to pesticides. U.S. EPA has selected IKE to receive a two-year grant to work with Indiana and Ohio schools on smarter, safer pest management. IKE is also monitoring legislation proposed by the Indiana State Chemist to repeal a law concerning registration and training of retailers who advise customers on pesticide use.
Partnering with several organizations and individuals to gain passage of the first rules governing the sale and use of outdoor wood boilers in Indiana. Our efforts persuaded the Indiana Air Pollution Control Board to strengthen rules proposed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

In 2012 we will also be saying goodbye to our Executive Director, Jodi Perras, who has served IKE ably and well. Jodi has decided to move on, and we wish her well. The IKE board has already begun the search for our next executive director, and Jodi has graciously agreed to stay on until a replacement is found so IKE's work will continue uninterrupted.

In this time of uncertain funding from government and private foundations, we need your help more than ever. You can help IKE continue its work to reduce children's exposures to lead, pesticides and other harmful substances.

Please help by clicking the "Donate" button below and making a contribution today:

Donate

IKE is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so your contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Thank you for all you do to improve kids' environment!

Sincerely,

Indra Frank

President

Senator Blasts Opposition to Child Care Safety Standards

Jodi Perras — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:22:41 GMT

An impassioned plea for young children followed by a lack of real action was the story this week at the final meeting of the Indiana General Assembly’s Interim Study Committee on Child Care.

Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, talked about doing Christian missionary work in Haiti, where the superstitious voodoo culture and power of witch doctors leads to superstitions, fear and damage to Haitian’s health. He compared the power of the witch doctors to lobbyists who have fought against regulation of child care ministries in Indiana.

In September, committee members had visited a child care ministry where 56 children age infant to sixth grade were in the care of two adults. The floors were sticky and mouse feces were found in drawers housing utensils used by the children. That childcare received more than $10 million in state funding in the last five years, Sen. Holdman noted.

Sen. Holdman said lobbyists spread lies in Indiana churches about the effects of Senate Bill 56 (2011), which he sponsored to require child care ministries to meet minimum health and safety standards. The bill was the product of a summer study committee in 2010. The bill would have required criminal history checks, drug testing, caregiver education and supervision, nutrition, immunizations, and fire and hazardous safety standards. Opponents of the bill included Advance America and the American Family Association of Indiana. Here’s an example of a misleading Advance America alert during the last session: http://www.advanceamerica.com/pdf/SB56Alert.pdf.

Opponents told Indiana churches that grandparents would not be able to take care of their grandchildren if SB 56 passed, Sen. Holdman said. “That’s not true. It’s nothing more than Hoosier voodoo. When Jesus tells us to care for the least of these, it has nothing to do with intervention of government into churches. If you’re taking government money, you’re allowing government into the church.

“If you take government funds, you need toe the line to make sure kids have a foundational level of care and sanitation,” Sen. Holdman told the committee. “To say anything else is a lie and nothing more than Hoosier voodoo.”

Senator Holdman said he could not vote for the committee’s draft report because its recommendations "missed the mark" by failing to address unsanitary and dangerous conditions that the committee witnessed. After a brief discussion, the Committee removed the following finding from the report:

(1) The Committee finds that registered child care ministries are not required to teach universal precautions or provide staff training concerning symptoms and reporting of child abuse.

The Committee recommends that the Bureau of Child Care:

(a) provide, free of charge, the resources (OVO or online) to teach universal precautions and staff training concerning symptoms and reporting of child abuse to all child care providers in Indiana; and

(b) contact each child care provider at least once annually to encourage the providers to utilize these resources.

Important to note: Not all child care ministries are unsafe. Many are doing a fine job of caring for Indiana’s youngest children. But others are putting children in danger, and state officials can do nothing to prevent it because their hands are tied. Some of these “ministries” are not even affiliated with a church.

Result: The committee’s final report contains no findings. It recommends only that the Bureau of Child Care establish a child care ministry advisory committee (a committee that already exists). Once again, thanks to powerful and misleading anti-regulatory forces, Indiana officials ignored the safety needs of young children in Indiana.

Children’s Environmental Health Newsletter – October 2011

Jodi Perras — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:49:35 GMT

Children's Environmental Health Newsletter - October 2011

In this Issue:

2011 Conference Draws 218 People to Work Toward Healthier Homes & Child Cares

Thanks to all who attended our annual Healthy Homes & Child Care Conference in Indianapolis last week. Some news coming out of the conference:

The Indiana State Department of Health and State Sen. Patricia Miller (R-Indianapolis) indicated they will not seek 2012 legislation for Indiana to administer the U.S. EPA renovation, repair and painting rule (RRP rule). Legislation to bring the program to Indiana has failed to pass the General Assembly the past two years. ISDH staff indicated they may consider legislation again for the 2013 session.
U.S. EPA has begun inspections and enforcement of the RRP rule in several Indiana communities. Fines can be up to $37,500 per day. Most cases begin with a tip or complaint, with many tips coming from certified renovators who see uncertified firms using unsafe practices. If you see residential work in pre-1978 homes that is not lead-safe, contact Julie Morris at U.S. EPA in Chicago: (312) 886-0863 or morris.julie@epa.gov. Learn more about the requirements at www.ikecoalition.org or www.leadfreekids.org.
ISDH and local health departments continue to have trouble receiving Medicaid reimbursement for case management and investigations for lead-poisoned children, more than three years after this issue was supposedly resolved. Local health departments are losing $614.01 per Medicaid eligible child with an elevated blood-lead level. State Medicaid officials say they are waiting for approval of a State Plan Amendment. However, federal law requires Medicaid to reimburse for these services. Still waiting for this to be fixed.
Meanwhile, proposed FY12 funding cuts to the federal Centers for Disease Control threaten to zero out the CDC’s Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention program. The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee is seeking to shift lead poisoning prevention to the Maternal & Child Health home visiting program. It’s unclear how this will affect the families of lead-poisoned children in Indiana. State and local health departments get a significant amount of funding from CDC to identify and provide help to lead-poisoned children. Contact Senator Lugar or Senator Coats to express your concerns about maintaining services for lead-poisoned children and their families.
Local funding cuts are also affecting services provided by local health departments. All Delaware County offices are cutting back to a four-day work week and will be closed on Fridays, including the county health department. According to news reports, county commissioners are also trying to collect rent from the health department for its use of the county building.
Many pregnant women are exposed to lead and never know it, passing that lead on to their unborn child. New CDC guidelines urge health care providers that serve at-risk populations to routinely test pregnant women for blood-lead levels. In low-risk areas, providers should use risk assessment tools to determine whether testing is warranted. Action steps are recommended for any pregnant woman or newborn infant with a BLL at or above 5 µg/dL. Click here for more details.

Many presentations from the conference are now on-line at www.ikecoalition.org/2011conference

Congratulations to 2011 Healthy Homes & Child Care Award Winners

The Lead-Safe and Healthy Homes Task Force presented awards to the following organizations and individuals during the conference:

Asthma Safe Award:

Barbara Sha Cox of Indiana CAFO Watch, for her work promoting clean air and healthy environments in rural communities. Barbara monitors activities of larged confined animal feeding operations (factory farms) in Indiana and organizes communities to demand better enforcement and stronger regulations to protect neighbors’ health and the environment.
Danette Fariss of St. Vincent-Peyton Manning Children's Hospital for her volunteer work on behalf of the Asthma Alliance of Indianapolis.

Lead Safe Award:

Vigo County Health Department for its efforts to improve blood-lead screening in the county, identifying children at an early stage when lead poisoning can be better addressed.
Cathy Shaw and Jane McIntyre of Howard County Health Department for their volunteer work at the annual conference and for their efforts to educate child care facilities and health care providers in Howard County about lead poisoning and its effects.
Office of Attorney General Greg Zoeller for pursuing legal action against an Evansville landlord for refusing to address lead hazards in a rental home. This case serves as a template that local governments can use for addressing environmental conditions in housing under existing state laws.

Healthy Homes Award:

Indiana Community Action Association for emphasizing the importance of lead-safe work practices in its training programs for contractors, who provide assistance to qualified homeowners with weatherization and energy efficiency improvements.

Senator Patricia Miller, R-Indianapolis, also helped distribute awards from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s 5-Star Child Care recognition program to the following facilities who have taken extra steps to provide a safe environment for young children:

Little Saints Child Care & Preschool Ministry
Monroe County United Ministries
Robin's Nest Childcare Center
Humble Beginnings Childcare

Special recognition was given to Lynette Brown, who recently retired from the Wayne County Health Department, for her years of service ensuring healthy homes for children. The task force also honored Bruce Jennings of Bloomington, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. We will honor Bruce’s memory by holding a fund-raiser each year to raise funds for a family in need. If you have suggestions, contact Jodi Perras at jperras@ikecoalition.org.

Child Care News from the Indiana Association of United Ways:

On Sept. 27, members of the state legislative Committee on Child Care toured four child care programs that accept taxpayer-funded Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) money. They wanted to understand the care and requirements related to different types of programs--licensed child care centers and homes and unlicensed registered ministries.

Legislator and committee members saw firsthand and commented on the range of quality. They described being impressed by some organizations devoted to their "mission" and "calling" to be "change agents" for children and their families.

They described being alarmed by what they observed at one child care ministry: 28 children with 1 adult, mouse droppings and unsanitary food preparation. They expressed concern with the idea that children would be put at risk by "commercial enterprises" describing themselves as "ministries" and that parents simply trust the organizations because they have "ministry" in the name and a state designation.

Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle) was so alarmed with what he experienced in one facility that he stated he would resign his seat from the Senate to babysit his 15-month-old grandson, rather than allow him to be cared for in such deplorable conditions.

Read the minutes from the meeting. The Committee on Child Care holds its final meeting on October 25 to discuss any legislative recommendations and its final report.

Like IKE, IaUW supports standardizing health and safety standards across all child care providers--especially those that are funded with taxpayer-supported CCDF. See IaUW’s Policy Options document presented to the Education Committee.

In the News:

Coalition Calls for Mercury Control

The Sierra Club's Hoosier Chapter, IKE, Hoosier Environmental Council, and the Indiana NAACP on Sept. 27 called for federal officials to support controls on mercury pollution from power plants. In April, the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter took hair samples from 38 people in Indianapolis, most of whom were local residents. All 38 samples showed traces of mercury; three samples were above the EPA’s health guideline for mercury. These results show that mercury is pervasive in our environment.

"When a bridge falls or a stage collapses and kills or injures innocent people, we get upset, and rightly so," said IKE Executive Director Jodi Perras. "These dangers are easy to see, and we want solutions. Yet every day invisible hazards fall from the sky and damage the brains of our infants and children, and it doesn’t get much attention because we can’t “see” it. Let’s be clear, these test results come from adults, but we’re really talking about the damage mercury causes to our infants and children, to infants still in the womb when their brains are still developing."

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can harm the brain, spinal cord, kidnes and liver. It is especially dangerous to unborn babies and young children, whose brains and nervous system are still developing.

Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the Marion County Health Department, and Dr. Gabriel Filippelli of IUPUI also spoke at the news conference about the dangers of mercury and its pervasiveness in Indiana's environment. Dr. Filippelli's research on mercury will be featured this weekend on the public radio program Sound Medicine.

IKE Continues Work with Martindale-Brightwood Neighborhood

IKE is continuing its work with the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood in Indianapolis to help improve environmental conditions. Responding to complaints from the neighborhood, city officials have started employing police officers to catch illegal dumpers who have made Martindale-Brightwood a favorite dumping place. City staff say dumping on public property has fallen dramatically since the police got involved. Dumping on private property, however, remains a problem.

The Martindale-Brightwood Environmental Justice Collaborative and Improving Kids’ Environment are hosting a Community Picnic and Call for Environmental Justice on October 27 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at 37 Place Community Center, 2605 E. 25th Street. Food, drink and entertainment will be provided, as well as testimony from neighbors about environmental justice issues they face. We will announce the winners of our children's poster contest. All are welcome to attend. Register here.

Bed Bug Cure Can Be Worse than Its Bite

The Centers for Disease Control recently reported that 111 people have been sickened and one North Carolina woman died after improper use of pesticides to try to control bed bugs. "The poisonings serve as a warning, experts said, that people could do more damage to their health by misusing pesticides than they would suffer from the bedbugs, which are upsetting and unpleasant, but not known to be carriers of disease." See recent story in the New York Times for more information.

Support Our Work: You can designate Improving Kids’ Environment to receive automatic contributions through your workplace’s charitable giving campaign. If you participated in the Central Indiana United Way or State Employees Community Campaign, consider a donation to IKE throughout the year. You can also donate on-line through our website: www.ikecoalition.org.

Proposed Rules on Air Permit Reviews & Lead-Based Paint; Final SO2 Rules

Jodi Perras — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:07:57 GMT

Proposed Rules (and Readoptions)

Title 326: Air Pollution Control Board

· LSA Document #09-493: Amends 326 IAC 2-1.1-1, 326 IAC 2-1.1-3, 326 IAC 2-1.1-6, 326 IAC 2-1.1-8, 326 IAC 2-1.1-9, 326 IAC 2-5.1-3, 326 IAC 2-5.5-6, 326 IAC 2-6.1-1, 326 IAC 2-6.1-2, 326 IAC 2-6.1-6, 326 IAC 2-7-1, 326 IAC 2-7-8, 326 IAC 2-7-10.5, 326 IAC 2-7-12, 326 IAC 2-7-17, 326 IAC 2-8-10, 326 IAC 2-8-11.1, 326 IAC 2-9-2.5, 326 IAC 2-9-3, 326 IAC 2-9-4, 326 IAC 2-9-11, 326 IAC 2-9-13, 326 IAC 2-9-14, 326 IAC 2-10-1, and 326 IAC 2-11-1 concerning the air permit review rules. Repeals 326 IAC 2-6.1-3. Effective 30 days after filing with the Publisher.

More information can be found at:

http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20110831-IR-326090493PRA.xml.pdf

Title 410: Indiana State Department of Health

· LSA Document #10-734: Amends 410 IAC 32-1-12, 410 IAC 32-1-24, 410 IAC 32-1-28, 410 IAC 32-1-43, 410 IAC 32-1-47, 410 IAC 32-1-54, 410 IAC 32-1-56, 410 IAC 32-1-66, 410 IAC 32-1-72, 410 IAC 32-1-77, 410 IAC 32-1-81, and 410 IAC 32-1-83 to update definitions. Adds 410 IAC 32-1-28.5, 410 IAC 32-1-52.5, 410 IAC 32-1-60.5, 410 IAC 32-1-65.5, and 410 IAC 32-1-84.5 to add new definitions. Amends 410 IAC 32-2-3 and 410 IAC 32-2-5 regarding license qualifications and renewals. Amends 410 IAC 32-3-2, 410 IAC 32-3-4, and 410 IAC 32-3-8 concerning training courses. Amends 410 IAC 32-4-1 through 410 IAC 32-4-10, 410 IAC 32-4-13, and 410 IAC 32-4-15 regarding work practices for remediation activities. Effective 30 days after filing with the Publisher.

More information can be found at:

http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20110824-IR-410100734PRA.xml.pdf

Final Rules

Title 326: Air Pollution Control Board

· LSA Document #05-330(F) : Amends 326 IAC 3-4-1, 326 IAC 3-4-2, 326 IAC 3-4-3, 326 IAC 3-5-1, 326 IAC 3-5-2, 326 IAC 3-5-3, 326 IAC 3-5-4, 326 IAC 3-5-5, 326 IAC 3-5-6, 326 IAC 3-5-7, 326 IAC 3-6-1, 326 IAC 3-6-2, 326 IAC 3-6-3, 326 IAC 3-6-4, 326 IAC 3-6-5, 326 IAC 3-7-1, 326 IAC 3-7-2, 326 IAC 3-7-3, 326 IAC 3-7-4, and 326 IAC 3-7-5 and adds 326 IAC 3-5-8 concerning compliance monitoring. Amends 326 IAC 7-2-1 concerning sulfur dioxide compliance requirements. Effective 30 days after filing with the Publisher.

More information can be found at:

http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20110907-IR-326050330FRA.xml.pdf

Items of Interest in the Indiana Register

Jodi Perras — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:06:26 GMT

Upcoming public comment periods and public hearings on rules affecting Indiana's environment and public health:

Indiana Register Documents

08/18/2011 to 09/14/2011

Notices of Public Hearing

Title 326: Air Pollution Control Board

· LSA Document #09-493: Under IC 4-22-2-24, IC 13-14-8-6, and IC 13-14-9, notice is hereby given that on November 2, 2011, at 1:00 p.m., at the Indiana Government Center South, 402 West Washington Street, Conference Center Room C, Indianapolis, Indiana, the Air Pollution Control Board will hold a public hearing on amendments to 326 IAC 2 concerning the air permit review rules.

More information can be found at:

http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20110831-IR-326090493PHA.xml.pdf

· LSA Document #11-472: Under IC 4-22-2-24, IC 13-14-8-6, and IC 13-14-9, notice is hereby given that on November 2, 2011, at 1:00 p.m., at the Indiana Government Center South, 402 West Washington Street, Conference Center Room C, Indianapolis, Indiana, the Air Pollution Control Board will hold a public hearing on amendments to 326 IAC 1-1-3 concerning an update to references to the Code of Federal Regulations to mean the 2011 edition and to amend 326 IAC 11-8 to update citations to the Federal Register that are incorporated by reference.

More information can be found at:

http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20110914-IR-326110472PHA.xml.pdf

Change in Notice of Public Hearing

Title 327: Water Pollution Control Board

· LSA Document #09-213: The Water Pollution Control Board gives notice that the date of the public hearing for LSA Document #09-213, posted at 20110803-IR-327090213PRA, has been changed. The changed Notice of Public Hearing appears below:

Notice of Public Hearing

Under IC 4-22-2-24, IC 13-14-8-6, and IC 13-14-9, notice is hereby given that on November 9, 2011, at 1:30 p.m., at the Indiana Government Center South, 402 West Washington Street, Conference Center Room A, Indianapolis, Indiana, the Water Pollution Control Board will hold a public hearing on new rules at 327 IAC 15-16 concerning concentrated animal feeding operations.

More information can be found at:

http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20110907-IR-327090213CHA.xml.pdf

· LSA Document #09-615: The Water Pollution Control Board gives notice that the date of the public hearing for LSA Document #09-615, posted at 20110803-IR-327090615PRA, has been changed. The changed Notice of Public Hearing appears below:

Notice of Public Hearing

More information can be found at:

http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20110907-IR-327090615CHA.xml.pdf

Indiana Department of Environmental Management Notices

First Notices and Continuations:

Title 326: Air Pollution Control Board

· LSA Document #11-460: DEVELOPMENT OF NEW RULES CONCERNING THE FEDERAL CROSS-STATE AIR POLLUTION RULE

PURPOSE OF NOTICE

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is soliciting public comment on new rules at 326 IAC 24 concerning the federal Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR or Transport Rule) published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) on August 8, 2011 (76 FR 48208) and the repeal of the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) at 326 IAC 24-1, 326 IAC 24-2, and 326 IAC 24-3. IDEM is also accepting comment on the repeal of the NOx SIP Call trading rules at 326 IAC 10-4 as well as comments on 326 IAC 10-3 arising from the repeal of CAIR. IDEM seeks comment on the affected citations listed and any other provisions of Title 326 that may be affected by this rulemaking.

COMMENT PERIOD DEADLINE

Comments must be postmarked, faxed, or hand delivered by September 23, 2011.

More information can be found at:

http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20110824-IR-326110460FNA.xml.pdf

· LSA Document #11-251: DEVELOPMENT OF AMENDMENTS TO RULES CONCERNING NEW SOURCE REVIEW PROVISIONS FOR PARTICULATE MATTER LESS THAN 2.5 MICRONS (PM2.5)

PURPOSE OF NOTICE

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is soliciting public comment on amendments to rules at 326 IAC 2. The First Notice of Comment Period, published on May 4, 2011 (DIN: 20110504-IR-326110251FNA), requested comments on new source review (NSR) provisions for particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), as well as amendments to definitions of terms in 326 IAC 2 to defer from greenhouse gas permitting requirements carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from bioenergy and other biogenic sources. That comment period has ended; however, IDEM has identified an additional amendment to 326 IAC 2 required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) concerning Indiana's prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) rules. IDEM seeks comment on the additional alternative described in this notice, the affected citation listed, and any other provisions in Title 326 that may be affected by this rulemaking.

COMMENT PERIOD DEADLINE

Comments must be postmarked, faxed, or hand delivered by October 7, 2011.

More information can be found at:

http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20110907-IR-326110251FCA.xml.pdf

Title 327: Water Pollution Control Board

· LSA Document #10-659: DEVELOPMENT OF NEW RULES AND AMENDMENTS TO RULES CONCERNING NPDES GENERAL PERMITS

PURPOSE OF NOTICE

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is soliciting public comment on new rules and amendments to rules in 327 IAC 5 and 327 IAC 15 concerning National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permits governed by 40 CFR 122 and general permits administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). IDEM seeks comment on the affected citations listed and any other provisions of Title 327 that may be affected by this rulemaking. Since the First Notice of Comment Period was published, the EPA raised additional issues affecting NPDES general permits, and IDEM has determined that changes to 327 IAC 5 will also be required to accomplish the purpose of this rulemaking. IDEM specifically seeks comment on those changes to 327 IAC 5.

COMMENT PERIOD DEADLINE

Comments must be postmarked, faxed, or hand delivered by October 7, 2011.

More information can be found at:

http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20110907-IR-327100659FCA.xml.pdf

Findings and Determinations:

Title 326: Air Pollution Control Board

· LSA Document #11-472: DEVELOPMENT OF AMENDMENTS TO RULES CONCERNING REFERENCES TO THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR)

PURPOSE OF NOTICE

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has developed draft rule language for 326 IAC 1-1-3 concerning an update to references to the CFR to mean the 2011 edition, and 326 IAC 11-8 concerning references to the CFR to mean the 2010 edition. IDEM is soliciting written comment on the draft rule language and will schedule a public hearing before the Air Pollution Control Board for consideration of adoption of these rules.

COMMENT PERIOD DEADLINE

Comments must be postmarked, faxed, or hand delivered by October 14, 2011.

More information can be found at:

http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20110914-IR-326110472FDA.xml.pdf

Children's Environmental health Newsletter - September 2011

Jodi Perras — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:30:58 GMT

Indiana Children's Environmental Health Newsletter
Sept. 2011

In This Issue:

Healthy Homes

Your Help Needed: Healthy Housing Survey
2011 Healthy Homes & Childcare Conference Approaching
Silent Auction Donations

Pesticides

State Chemist Proposes Deleting Pesticide Retailer Registration
Dangerous Advice from a Richmond Store
Herbicide Accused of Killing Indiana Trees
Crop Duster Complaints Up

Healthy Schools

Safer Pest Management in Schools

Early Childhood

State of Young Hoosier Child Report
State of Environment Report – Young Children -- Help Needed
Save the Date: Step Up for Kids in Indiana

Children’s Health News

New Children’s Environmental Health Blog
Free Pediatric Environmental Health CME Module Available Online
Climate Change, the Indoor Environment & Health
Health Impact Assessment: A Tool for Promoting Health in All Policies
World Health Organization: Environmental burden of disease associated with inadequate housing
State Approaches to Asthma Programs

Indiana Environmental Health News

Free Medication Disposal Sept. 24-25
“Fracking” Fact Sheets
“Fracking” Documentary
Beyond Coal-Clean Energy Future
Support IKE’s Work

Healthy Homes

Your Help Needed: Healthy Housing Survey: The Lead-Safe and Healthy Homes Task Force and Improving Kids’ Environment are conducting a survey to identify legal issues that prevent or hinder the ability to ensure safe and healthy homes for Indiana families and children. The 18-question survey should take only a few minutes to complete, and it will help us set our agenda for the coming year. The survey is intended for all types of people working in healthy housing: lead case managers, code enforcement staff, lead inspectors and risk assessors, asthma case managers and community action program managers. Please click on the link below. Deadline: September 30, 2011. Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3Q9VRMG

Conference Approaching: We are looking forward to the 2011 Indiana Healthy Homes & Childcare Conference: A Healthy Indiana Begins Where We Live, Learn, Work and Play. More than 200 have already registered for the conference, to be held Oct. 5-6 at the Marten House Hotel and Conference Center in Indianapolis. Keynote speakers will include Nsedu Obot Witherspoon of the Children’s Environmental Health Network and green living expert and television host Sara Snow. More information and on-line registration is available at www.ikecoalition.org/2011Conference

Silent Auction Donations: We are seeking gift baskets or other donations for our silent auction, which helps support IKE's activities throughout the year. Can you or your organization donate a basket with a theme, or a single item of value? Last year, the auction featured products from the City of Evansville and area merchants, City of Bloomington (spa package!), Indiana University, Butler University basketball (with tickets!), the YMCA and more. Contact Julie Zimmer at jzimmer@ikecoalition.org if you can donate toward the silent auction.

Pesticides

The Indiana Pesticide Review Board met on August 19 in Lafayette. Several bits of news came out of this meeting:

State Chemist Proposes Deleting Pesticide Retailer Registration. The State Chemist is recommending repealing legislation that requires retailers selling pesticides to register and pay a $45 annual fee. Pesticide program manager Dave Scott confirmed that compliance with the law has been poor, with many retailers opting out of the registration by posting signs saying they don’t give pesticide advice – or simply ignoring the registration requirements altogether. Giving advice contrary to the pesticide label is and will remain a violation of state and federal law. However, retailers would no longer have registration and training requirements. In the past, IKE’s Secret Shopper investigations have revealed that 95 percent of pesticide store clerks violated Indiana law in giving advice on how best to kill cockroaches. IKE believes retailer education and enforcement is important. We will be monitoring this proposed legislation in the 2012 Indiana General Assembly and working with the State Chemist’s office to ensure retailers who give bad advice are called to account.

Dangerous Advice from a Richmond Store: Here’s evidence #1 that retailers give off-the-label advice to their customers. Tractor Supply Co. in Richmond has been cited for recommending Golden Malrin fly bait as a raccoon poison. Based on an anonymous tip in January 2011, an inspector conducted a covert investigation. The inspector asked the store clerk for advice controlling raccoons rummaging in his garbage. The clerk suggested he mix a tablespoon of Golden Malrin with a can of tuna or make a “jelly sandwich” and mix the granules with the jelly. The clerk also showed the inspector a live trap and raccoon lure, but said the Golden Malrin would be the cheaper option. Imagine if a cat ate the tuna or a child picked up the “jelly sandwich!”

The Golden Malrin label clearly states: “Golden Malrin is not to be used inside or around homes, or any other places where children or pets are likely to be present… do not apply where poultry or other animals, especially dogs and young calves, can pick it up or lick it… use only in areas inaccessible to food producing animals, children, and pets. Do not use around dumpsters in residential settings.” The Pesticide Review Board asked about restricting Golden Malrin, which is found in many farm supply and hardware stores and is intended for controlling flies in barns and around livestock. The board and State Chemist will monitor the situation for now.

Tractor Supply was cited both for acting as a pesticide consultant without a consultant registration and for giving off-label advice. It was fined $250.

Herbicide Accused of Killing Indiana Trees: The Indiana State Chemist has pursued more than 350 complaints of the herbicide Imprelis damaging Indiana trees between June 7 and August 19. Imprelis is a new herbicide marketed by DuPont as an environmentally-friendly way to kill stubborn broad leaf weeds in lawns. Imprelis was applied to many lawns in late spring and by June, evergreen trees began to show signs of wilting. OISC’s David Scott told the board: "Did they do all the right studies in all the right places at right time? It appears not." Scott said the State Chemist was disappointed with EPA and DuPont's response to the Imprelis problem. "We've been left to clean up the mess." For three months, the Imprelis response has taken up almost all resources at the State Chemist office, meaning less enforcement of other pesticide laws. This includes school inspections and responding to consumer complaints about pesticide drift. Purdue has created a guide for homeowners on suspected Imprelis damage to trees. It includes photos of typical damage and advice: http://fb.me/P7td9lpV

Crop Duster Complaints Up: Channel 13 in Indianapolis reported earlier this summer that complaints about pesticide drift from crop dusters were on the rise in Indiana. See their story here: http://www.wthr.com/story/15312687/complaints-about-crop-dusters-spraying-people-are-up

Healthy Schools

Safer Pest Management in Schools: IKE held a successful day-long IPM workshop at Martinsville High School on June 22. Sixty staff from more than 40 school districts attended and learned about smarter, safer ways to control pests in the school environment. During the 2010-11 school year, IKE’s workshops and educational materials on safer pest management reached more than 125 school staff from more than 50 school districts in Indiana. In its first year, the coalition grew to include the following members:

Avon Community School Corp.
Brownsburg Community School Corporation
Bureau of Child Care FSSA
Community School Corp. of Eastern Hancock County
Franklin Township Community School Corporation
Goshen Community Schools
Hamilton Southeastern Schools
Improving Kids’ Environment
IPM Institute of North America
Indiana State Department of Health
M.S.D. of Washington Township
Monroe County Community School Corporation
Mooresville Consolidated School Corporation
MSD of Decatur Township
MSD Pike Township
MSD of Perry Township
Muncie Community Schools
Northwest Allen County Schools
Randolph Central School Corp.
Shelbyville Central Schools
Spencer-Owen Community Schools
Tippecanoe School Corporation
U.S. EPA Region 5
Western Wayne Schools
Yorktown Community Schools

Early Childhood

State of Young Hoosier Child: Do you wonder how young children in your part of the state are doing? Look no further than the 2011 State of the Young Hoosier Child Report. It was produced by the Indiana State Department of Health's Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Initiative, Sunny Start: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds. The report provides a snapshot of children’s well-being in the critical period from birth to age five. These children comprise an estimated 8.3% of the total Hoosier population. The report contains state-level information and national comparisons that can be used as a resource by communities, policy makers, and youth workers. The report also contains County Data Profiles, which include indicators of the well-being of children 0-5 across time for each of Indiana's 92 counties. These profiles are useful for grant-writing and can be used for comparison to the state or other counties. The County Data Profiles and the full report are available online at www.sunnystart.in.gov/syhc.

State of Environment Report – Young Children: In partnership with the Sunny Start Initiative, IKE will be preparing a report that looks at the State of the Environment for Young Children in Indiana. We are looking for a free-lance writer or researcher who can help with gathering data and writing text for this report. Contact Jodi Perras at jperras@ikecoalition.org if you are interested.

Save the Date: Step Up for Kids in Indiana: This event will be held at the Indiana Statehouse on Saturday, October 15th, from 10 am until 2 pm. Each year Step Up for Kids brings together thousands of people to raise awareness about issues American children face, among them access to early care and learning and after-school programs, poverty, child abuse and neglect and health care. Participants include child advocates, politicians, parents and kids. Go to http://www. childrenscoalitionin.org for more info.

Children’s Health News

New Children’s Environmental Health Blog: Dr. Susan Buchanan, Director of the Great Lakes Center for Children’s Environmental Health, has started a new blog to introduce environmental medicine topics to medical students, parents, healthcare providers and other interested members of the public. The blog covers environmental exposures at home, at school, at work, and in the outdoor environment. It looks at how exposures occur (who, what, where?), what the resulting health effects might be, and what you can do to prevent exposures. Here’s the link: https://greenkidsdoc.wordpress.com/

Free Pediatric Environmental Health CME Module Available Online: The University of Cincinnati Department of Environmental Health is offering a free online Pediatric Environmental Health Continuing Medical Education Course and Research Study for physicians. At the end of the course, participants will be able to discuss concepts of environmental health, describe health effects associated with environmental toxicants, and incorporate elements of an environmental history into practice. To register for this online course visit NEEF's Health & Environment homepage, http://www.neefusa.org/health/index.htm , or CARES Air Pollution For Physicians webpage: http://www.eh.uc.edu/cares/learn/physicians.html

Climate Change, the Indoor Environment & Health: Despite the considerable research on how climate change may affect public health, the impact of climate change on indoor environments has received relatively little attention. At the request of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Institute of Medicine (IOM) examined the current state of scientific understanding of the effects of climate change on those environments. The IOM concludes that climate change can create indoor environmental problems and outlines specific ways for the EPA, other government organizations, and the private sector to prevent or reduce negative health effects from these problems. http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=13115

Health Impact Assessment: A Tool for Promoting Health in All Policies. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has produced a series of 10 issue briefs on the social determinants of health. The series began as a product of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America and continues as a part of the Foundation’s Vulnerable Populations portfolio. An issue brief on Health Impact Assessments can be found at: http://www.rwjf.org/files/research/sdohseries2011hia.pdf

World Health Organization: Environmental burden of disease associated with inadequate housing. This summary report provides evidence that the health consequences of inadequate housing are substantial. Improving housing in a way that removes or minimizes the negative impact on health and safety and promotes a healthier living environment is good for the residents and beneficial for society. Making housing healthy, affordable and sustainable should be a prime objective of all professionals and policy-makers involved in any aspect of housing and of health. This summary and its sister publication provide the evidence they need to make it so. http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-do/health-topics/environment-and-health/Housing-and-health/publications/2011/environmental-burden-of-disease-associated-with-inadequate-housing.-summary-report

State Approaches to Asthma Programs: The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has released its 2011 Asthma Report: "Building and Maintaining State Health Agency Capacity to Develop Evidence-based Initiatives to Reduce Asthma." This report seeks to gain a better understanding of policy barriers that health agencies face with regard to implementing asthma programs. The report highlights the results from the assessment and provides recommendations for moving forward. The report can be found at: http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101742707164-175/2011+Asthma+Report_FINAL.pdf

Indiana Environmental Health News

Free Medication Disposal: Keeping unneeded, unwanted prescription medications in your home means you have a risk for accidental poisonings and theft. Disposing of prescription medications improperly means additional problems can be added to our environment and ground water. Bring your unneeded, unwanted medications to Marsh Pharmacies on Saturday, September 24th between 9AM and 5PM or Sunday, September 25th between 11AM and 5PM. A Marsh Pharmacist will qualify the medications for FREE disposal. Only Marsh stores with a pharmacy participate in this event and Marsh pharmacies are not in all counties. More info: http://www.marsh.net/pharmacy/Medicine_Cabinet

“Fracking” Fact Sheets: The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units have completed two fact sheets dealing with natural gas extraction and hydraulic fracturing. One is targeted at health professionals and the other at the general public. You can find them at http://aoec.org/PEHSU/documents/hydraulic_fracturing_and_children_2011_health_prof.pdf, http://aoec.org/PEHSU/documents/hydraulic_fracturing_2011_parents_comm.pdf.

“Fracking” Documentary: If you want to learn more about this issue, Epworth United Methodist Church in Indianapolis and the local Sierra Club chapter are sponsoring a free screening of the film “Gasland” on Friday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. http://m.nuvo.net/indianapolis/epworth-sierra-club-eco-films-gasland/Event?oid=2337958

Beyond Coal-Clean Energy Future: Indiana is at an energy crossroads. Our state remains dependent on dirty energy sources like coal that damage public health and harm the environment. Indiana can and should move toward a cleaner energy future by increasing the use of clean, renewable sources. The Sierra Club is launching a campaign to move Beyond Coal. You can learn more and get involved by attending a Community Meeting to Move Beyond Coal on Tuesday, September 20^th from 6:00-7:00 pm. The meeting will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church, 6450 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis. (Refreshments provided.) All are welcome, please bring your friends!

Support IKE's Work: Did you know you can designate Improving Kids’ Environment to receive automatic contributions through your workplace’s charitable giving campaign. If you participated in the United Way or State Employees Community Campaign, consider a donation to IKE throughout the year. You can also donate on-line through our website: www.ikecoalition.org.

IDEM: Indiana Counties Not Meeting SO2 Standard

Jodi Perras — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:02:38 GMT

Nine Indiana counties do not currently meet the new federal 1-hour sulfur dioxide standard, and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has recommended that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declare them in "nonattainment" with the standard.

Final designation will come next year and will depend on U.S. EPA review of the data. Monitoring results in those counties could change because federal rules are bringing SO2 emissions down, IDEM says.

Studies link short-term exposure to SO₂ with breathing difficulties and increased asthma symptoms, especially during exercise or play. Studies also show a connection between short-term exposure and increased visits to emergency departments and hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses, particularly in at-risk populations including children, the elderly, and asthmatics.

According to U.S. EPA, 73 percent of SO2 emissions come from power plants that burn fossil fuels, such as coal. Another 20 percent comes from other industries.

The nine counties that currently measure ambient concentrations above the new 1-hour SO2 standard are Daviess, Floyd, Fountain, Gibson, Marion, Morgan, Pike, Vigo, and Wayne counties. Indiana is recommending these nine counties to be classified as nonattainment based on the monitored violations.

"Indiana is also recommending Vermillion County be classified nonattainment based on contributions to the monitor in Fountain County," IDEM's report stated. "Indiana feels that these ten counties incorporate all sources likely contributing to monitored violations of the standard within 50 km of a monitoring site. Indiana is requesting that any county not outlined in this enclosure be designated as unclassifiable.”

For more information, download IDEM's preliminary recommendations to EPA by clicking here.

May 2011: Latest Children's Environmental Health News

Jodi Perras — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:00:16 GMT

Here's what's making headlines around the country when it comes to protecting our children from environmental threats:

Scientists Estimate Cost of Air Pollution and Toxic Chemicals on Children's Health

The cost of conditions like childhood cancer, asthma, autism, lead poisoning and ADHD has been estimated to be $76.6 billion in 2008. Scientists are calling for a three-part plan of action to protect the health of kids and reduce the financial burden associated with air pollution and toxic chemicals. A team of scientists at Mount Sinai School of Medicine calculated the cost of environmental exposure to toxins in children. In a separate article, published in the journal, Health Affairs, George Washington University scientists propose a plan of action to address the public health issue. Learn more by clicking here.

Or, cut and past this link: http://www.emaxhealth.com/1020/environmental-toxins-cost-kids-health-billions-health-dollars

Pediatricians Call for Change in Chemical Safety Laws

The American Academy of Pediatrics has released a new policy statement asking the federal government to redo the country's 35-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act. The pediatricians say we don't know which chemicals are safe and which are health threats, because chemicals don't have to be tested for safety before they're used in consumer products. The pediatricians want chemicals to be tested for safety before they come on the market, the way prescription drugs are now. They also want to see a post-market surveillance system, like there is for medications, so that if health problems do start cropping up, there's a way to monitor them and respond. Most of all, they want the feds to recognize that chemicals may pose very different threats to children than they do to adults. Learn more by clicking here.

Full link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/04/25/135704237/pediatricians-to-feds-protect-kids-from-toxic-chemicals?ps=sh_sthdl

Pesticides Shown to Affect IQ of Children

Children exposed in the womb to substantial levels of neurotoxic pesticides have somewhat lower IQs by the time they enter school than do kids with virtually no exposure. A trio of studies screened women for compounds in blood or urine that mark exposure to organophosphate pesticides such as chlorpyrifos, diazinon and malathion. These pesticides were once commonly used in the home and garden and are still used to control pests in the field. Learn more by clicking here.

Full link: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/73206/title/Pesticides_tied_to_lower_IQ_in_children

Good Overview of Children's Environmental Health Issues

Interested in learning more about how the environment can affect children's health? The January/February 2011 issue of the Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine contains an excellent overview article and several other specialty articles about children's environmental health. Read the full issue or select articles by clicking here. It's free.

Full link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/msj.v78.1/issuetoc

Bed Bug Resources for the Midwest

Bed bug populations are increasing nationwide and their control is difficult, time consuming, and often expensive. An EPA Web page was developed as a resource for residents to learn about this problem, to provide information on their management, including the selection of insecticides and a pest management professional, and tell residents where to file a complaint if an improper pesticide application is suspected. This web site draws primarily from resources developed by EPA Region 5 partners and stakeholders. Go to the site by clicking here.

Full link: http://www.epa.gov/reg5rcra/ptb/pest/r5bedbugs.html

Asthma Grants for Children and Schools

Everyone Breathe: This Asthma Education Grants program is for parents of children with asthma. They are invited to apply to win a $2,500 savings bond for their child's continued education and a $5,000 grant for their child's school to help improve the quality of asthma care and educate students about asthma. Deadline for submission is July 29, 2011. For more information, click here.

Full link: http://www.everyonebreathe.com/asthmaGrants/asthma-education-grants.html

Legislative Report, Awards, Lead Poisoning Brochures and Other IKE News

Jodi Perras — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:59:07 GMT

Dear IKE Friends,

It's been a busy spring for the staff and volunteers at Improving Kids' Environment. A few reminders and news updates:

Legislative Update: Senate Bill 366 was approved by the Indiana General Assembly WITHOUT a provision that would allow the Indiana State Department of Health to enforce the federal renovation, repair and painting rule to prevent lead poisoning. This is disappointing, since the rule is already in place at the federal level. Contractors who are not obeying the federal rule are getting a competitive disadvantage over contractors who are playing by the rules. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not have enough resources to enforce the rule in Indiana, meaning that children are still at risk when renovators, painters and repair companies disturb lead paint and don't use lead-safe work practices. If you are planning renovations at your home, make sure you hire a contractor who is certified by U.S. EPA. If you see renovation work being done in an older home without plastic to seal off the work area, there may be a violation of the federal rules. Learn more at ikecoalition.org or leadfreekids.org.

SummitRegistration: Remember to register for the 2011 Indiana Environmental Health Summit: Air Quality and Public Health. The summit will be held Monday, June 6, at the IUPUI Campus Center. Speakers will include Dan Greenbaum of the Health Effects Institute, U.S. EPA Assistant Administrator Janet McCabe, and IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. See the conference details and register on-line by clicking here or by going to www.ikecoalition.org and clicking on "Events." Thanks to our sponsors: IUPUI Center for Urban Health, Richard and Susan Van Frank Fund, IUPUI Conference Fund, Indiana University Department of Public Health, Marion County Public Health Department, IU Health, Citizens Energy, United Water, Center for Earth and Environmental Science at IUPUI, Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy, Health by Design and Hoosier Environmental Council.

Awards for Lead Paint: The Poisoning of Indiana's Children: Congratulations to WFYI Productions, Executive Producer Clayton Taylor and Producer Shannon Cagle for winning a First Place documentary film award at the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists for the lead poisoning documentary they produced with IKE. The film also has been nominated for a Regional Emmy award. The documentary will be available soon for purchase. We are working on a discussion guide that individuals and small groups can use to watch the film and learn how to prevent lead poisoning in their own homes and childcare facilities. Thanks to the Indiana State Department of Health and the Marion County Public Health Department for their financial support of this documentary.

New Brochures on Lead Poisoning Available: IKE has produced four new brochures on Indiana law related to lead poisoning. The brochures provide an overview of rights and responsibilities for four different audiences: renters, homeowners, contractors and property managers. Download the brochures from the IKE website by clicking here or go to www.ikecoalition.org and click on "Lead."

Fundraiser to Benefit Improving Kids' Environment: Mark your calendars for Monday, June 20, and plan to attend a fun-filled event to benefit IKE at the Tomlinson Taproom at the Indianapolis City Market, 4:30 to 7 p.m.. We will have games, prizes, munchies, Indiana beer and lots of fun. Plan to stop by after work. More details coming soon. Sponsorships are available! Contact Jodi Perras at jperras@ikecoalition.org.

City Plans Pilot Program on Illegal Dumping in Martindale-Brightwood: Due to concerns raised by IKE and the Martindale-Brightwood Environmental Justice Collaborative, the City of Indianapolis has been devoting more resources to illegal dumping cleanup and enforcement in the Martindale-Brightwood area. City officials briefed residents on April 28 about their efforts to stop illegal waste haulers and clean up alleyways. IKE and the MBEJC are also working with area churches and community leaders to educate residents about reporting dumpers and how to safely dispose of unwanted items. The City plans to use Martindale-Brightwood as a pilot for an education and outreach campaign designed to catch dumpers and enlist residents' help in stopping dumping.

A Need to Strengthen Protections for Outdoor Wood Boilers

Jodi Perras — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:51:33 GMT

IKE and the Hoosier Environmental Council submitted this letter to the editor to state newspapers today:

When we think of air pollution, our minds might be directed to power plants with big smokestacks or idling trucks, but there are other sources that can cause breathing problems. Among these are Outdoor Wood Boilers (OWBs), units which burn wood to heat water that is then used to heat a home or building. Indiana has more than 8,000 units across our state.

Homeowners and small businesses are using OWBs as a low-cost source of heat because of the rising cost of propane and as a way to recycle downed trees and use domestically-produced fuel. But because few local governments in Indiana have passed policies restricting their use, OWBs may sometimes be located in residential areas close to neighbors.

Outdoor wood boilers (OWBs) can emit smoke 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Studies of indoor air quality at houses as far away as 850 feet from an OWB show tiny particles of wood smoke at six times the levels of houses not near an outdoor wood boiler and four times the levels of the EPA air standards.

Indiana residents living near OWBs have complained about chronic bronchitis, throat and lung problems, sinusitis, and other breathing problems. Some working class families have had to purchase expensive air filters and may face medical bills they cannot afford. An OWB moving into a neighborhood also can cause property values to decline and make it difficult to sell a home.

On Feb. 2, the Indiana Air Pollution Control Board, which shapes air pollution policy for Indiana, will meet to consider a proposed rule to provide long-needed public health safeguards for Hoosier families from OWBs. This is particularly critical as OWBs have no national emission requirements. While it is laudable that the Air Board is, at last, moving to implement protections, we believe the rules proposed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management are not adequate to protect public health and property values, and are urging the Air Board to strengthen them.

We are calling for the proposed rule to be amended in the following ways:

1. Increase the Height of the Smokestacks: Permanent stacks should be required to extend five feet higher than the peak of neighboring occupied buildings within 300 feet of the unit. If the owner cannot feasibly install a stack meeting these requirements, they should not be operating an OWB unit at that location.

2. Extend the Period When OWBs Should Not Be Used: IDEM’s proposed rule would ban older units from operating in June through August. This is not sufficient. Owners of all OWB units should have backup heat for late spring and early fall, and alternative systems to heat water.

3. Provide a Means for Suffering Families to Redress Problems: IDEM does not have enough inspectors to monitor operations and take smoke readings at individual homes. A “nuisance provision” would provide clear operating guidelines to the owners of these units and the ability for harmed neighbors to monitor compliance with cameras, similar to requirements working successfully in Maine. In suggesting this provision, we are not seeking to expand such monitoring to wood-burning stoves or fireplaces, as has been claimed

Even with these amendments, we are concerned that OWBs may still cause health problems and reduced property values. Without these [amendments], however, we know for certain from other states’ experiences that complaints will continue to be unresolved and neighbors’ health will be harmed.

Jodi Perras, Executive Director, Improving Kids’ Environment

Jesse Kharbanda, Executive Director, Hoosier Environmental Council

Healthy Homes & Childcare Conference

Jodi Perras — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:07:45 GMT

Thanks to all who attended our 2010 Healthy Homes and Childcare Conference on Nov. 3-4 at the Marten House in Indianapolis. More than 200 attendees took away useful resources and lessons on protecting children and their families from environmental threats in the home and childcare setting.

Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel provided the keynote speech on Nov. 3, telling about his city’s efforts to combat lead poisoning through a voluntary rental registry, a certified renovator training program and shifting property maintenance enforcement to the building commission.

The city is also working on a combined Evansville-Vanderburgh County ordinance that, if adopted, may be the most comprehensive and protective in Indiana. In its current draft, the ordinance will make it a violation for any person to knowingly sell, rent or lease a building with an identified but un-remediated lead hazard if the building will be occupied by a child less than 6 years of age. The ordinance will also incorporate state requirements for licensing, notification and lead-safe work practices.

Evansville’s approach will help ensure that local authorities are enforcing lead-safe requirements and leveling the playing field for contractors who are doing the right thing, but having to compete with unscrupulous contractors flying under the federal radar.

On Nov. 4, Elizabeth McDade of Rochester, NY, talked about her city’s efforts to Make Lead History, including legislation, blood-lead level testing, proactive lead hazard housing inspections and public outreach and education.

Congratulations to the winners of our 2010 Healthy Homes and Childcare awards:

Asthma Safe Award: Raul Rivas and Asaf Goldstein, Metropolitan School District of Pike Township
Lead Safe Award: Laura Gano, Indiana State Department of Health
Healthy Homes Award: Carrie Russell Brunson, Elkhart County Health Department
Healthy Childcare Award: Michele Schaefer, Sugar ‘n Spice; Bloomington Developmental Learning Center and Monroe County United Ministries.

Presentations from the conference are available on-line at: http://ike.roundtablelive.org/Conference

School Pesticide Rule Now In Effect

Jodi Perras — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:06:56 GMT

On Nov. 20, the Pesticide Use at Schools Rule became effective with Governor Daniels’ signature. The rule was passed by the Indiana Pesticide Review Board in September. The rule seeks to minimize the potential that students would be exposed to pesticides at schools by ensuring the following:

Pesticides are used only by certified applicators or individuals they supervise.
Pesticides are not used when students are in the pesticide application area.
Pesticides are stored in locked and/or marked storage areas.
Advance notice of pesticide applications is provided to interested parents and staff.
School corporations keep records of pesticide applications.
Pesticides with the lowest hazard to children are used whenever practical.

A pesticide is any substance that controls or kills a pest. Pesticides governed by this rule include not only insecticides, but also herbicides (weed killers), fungicides, and rodenticides. Under the new rules, teachers, coaches and other school staff cannot apply bug spray, weed killers or other pesticides unless they are certified, or supervised by someone who is certified.

The Indiana State Chemist office is working to educate schools about the new rules and provide guidance on complying with the rules. Ask your neighborhood school what they are doing to learn about and comply with the new rules. To learn more, visit the State Chemist website at: www.isco.purdue.edu

This Wednesday: Air Board to Hold Public Hearing on Outdoor Wood Boilers

Jodi Perras — Mon, 31 May 2010 23:06:44 GMT

On June 2, the Indiana Air Pollution Control Board will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. at Columbus East High School on a proposed rule to restrict outdoor wood boilers (outdoor hydronic heaters). About 7,500 homes in Indiana use these wood-burning heaters to heat their homes. According to some studies, outdoor wood boilers, also known as Outdoor Hydronic Heaters (OHH), are some of the most polluting and inefficient devices available to home-owners.

This week, IDEM released an updated version of the rule. The new version weakens the previous rule on several fronts:

• Allows units to be operated in the months of May and September, restricting their use only in June, July and August

• Units can operate throughout the year if they are located farther than 300 feet from other homes

• Adds a maximum stack height (22 feet), meaning the stack in some instances may not be higher than the roof of a neighboring homeThe rule will require new devices to meet emissions standards, allow them to burn only clean wood and require higher smokestack heights if a neighbor’s home is located within 150 feet. See the latest rule information at http://www.in.gov/idem/6556.htm

IKE is concerned that the draft rule has been weakened from an earlier version. IDEM has received hundreds of comments from owners of outdoor wood boilers, arguing for no restrictions on their use. IKE will speak for the thousands of Indiana children with asthma in favor of common sense restrictions that govern how these devices operate. Please plan to attend the June 2 Air Pollution Control Board hearing at Columbus East High School to support restrictions to protect Indiana’s children and those with respiratory illnesses.

-- Jodi Perras, Executive Director

First Homes Remediated with IKE's Lead-Safe Homes Fund

Jodi Perras — Mon, 31 May 2010 23:05:39 GMT

One family’s home has been made lead-safe and four others are underway thanks to IKE’s Lead-Safe Homes Fund. IKE recently received this thank you note from Rod Smith, father of Nathanael and Thulani Smith.

“Please tell everyone who had anything to do with improving my children’s environment that we are very grateful. Every time we came home and saw your workers hard at work, I felt as if we were being met by angels. Nathanael and Thulani are very proud that we were the first house you chose and my prayer is that you are able to do for many, many people, what you were able to do for us.”

IKE’s Lead-Safe Homes Fund was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Impact 100 Indianapolis and Janet McCabe and Jon Laramore. The fund helps low-income families participate in a Marion County Health Department program that provides lead remediation. Without IKE’s fund, these families would not be able to afford the matching funds required to participate.

So far, IKE has spent $8,391 and has helped MCHD leverage $51,683 in federal funding to remediate lead hazards in these homes. There are 17 children living in these homes, including seven age six or younger, and two women of child-bearing age.

-- Jodi Perras, Executive Director