Addressing the Main Concerns that Affect the Health, Safety and Nutrition of Children

The growing number of environmental contaminants and health hazards raises concerns about how the environment affects the health, safety and nutrition of the child, who is the most vulnerable member of a community. Several indoor air ollution factors li!e outdoor and ollution, drin!ing water contaminants, roduced alarming rates of

esticide and other chemical residues in food and household items, have all untoward incidences. However, these are not the only factors that affect the well"being of a child# a vulnerability to accidents and in$uries, li!ewise, re%uires attention. &arents need childcare information to !now how to children and The both rotect their revent un leasant accidents. in most American households finds roblems

resent set"u

arents wor!ing# hence, issues about childcare and

neglect could arise. This concern includes

about malnutrition or e'cessive food"inta!es, as well as the child(s lac! of activities or e'cessive activities.
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)ue to the

recarious conditions of American children to roblems,

current environmental, nutritional and social

former &resident Clinton issued an *'ecutive +rder for different government agencies to always include first and foremost in their missions, the considerations on how each agency(s actions or decisions affect the health, safety and nutrition of the child. *ffects of +utdoor and ,ndoor Air"&ollution on a Child(s Health Children are highly susce tible to different res iratory ailments due to the amount of still small"sized breathing a ollution ta!en in by their aratuses. As a result, this

articular system could cause a res iratory brea!down, articularly among children of low income families or of those below the overty line, since they have little to no access tohealth care medications or medical facilities. . Asthma Asthma is the most prevalent health disorder to affect children. The increasing numbers of child asthma sufferers and related fatalities, not only in America but on a global scale, has reached alarming levels. Asthma is now considered a major health problem and childcare providers should be aware of conditions in the environment which could trigger asthma, as well as the food and allergens to avoid to help prevent the development of asthma in children.
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD!

This respiratory disease may be developed by children as they are e"posed to second#hand smo$e in the indoor air. Air pollution within homes is often produced by family members smo$ing inside homes or air#conditioned rooms, because there is not enough ventilation for clean air to pass through. Outdoor pollution and the constant e"posure to thic$ smog coming from factories or constant e"posure to polluted air of vehicles and e"haust vents can cause COPD.

Chronic %ronchitis Chronic bronchitis could be mista$en for asthma, as the two are closely related inasmuch as air passageways are constricted. &owever, the difficulty in breathing brought
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about by chronic bronchitis is aggravated by the thic$ mucus that clogs airways since respiratory linings get irritated by cigarette smo$e, smog, airborne allergens and even bacteria, on a long term basis. This condition could lead to emphysema and tuberculosis. The image on the right is a satellite image of thic$ smog that has settled over eastern China's overhead s$ies. (eports have it that Chinese children are greatly affected by respiratory diseases caused by the thic$ smog to which they are regularly e"posed. )ead Poisoning* +n )ow#Cost &ouses, ,roundwater -ources, &ouse Paints . Other Consumer ,oods

)ow blood levels of lead content among children can lead to learning disabilities because lead to"icity can affect the brain and other body systems. )ead blood levels that reach high pea$s could lead to comatose, convulsions and fatality. The arrow in the image points to a secondary blood film produced by lead poisoningas it appears in hematological tests. )ow blood lead is measured at /0 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood in babies and younger children and at
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this level, lead poisoning could give rise to behavioral difficulties, reduced hearing, stunted growths and impairment of the brain's cognitive functions. )ead is harmful to pregnant women as well, since it could affect fetal development. -ome parents learn too late that their homes may contain materials that have high levels of lead content and as studies have shown, this is often true with low#cost houses. Child care givers should be diligent about eliminating and staying away from these products, particularly in households where there are children under the age of si" years. %y 1ana, 2era and their teacher 3or the etwinning project* )et4s tal$ about future#)et4s be eco#sensitive e"ternal blog, 5ov. 60/7