Protecting Water and Air Protects Children’s Health

Children are at greater risk of developing health problems due to pollutants compared to mature adults. Their small body size and developing organs make them more vulnerable to environmental contaminants.

In 2015, California had 1,533 Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) violations, meaning contamination of drinking water supplies exceeded public health limits. Four Central Valley counties (Fresno, Kern, Madera, and Tulare) were issued 40% of all such violations.

Exposure to contaminants in drinking water can result in numerous adverse health effects for children, such as gastrointestinal disorders, damage to developing organs (particularly the liver, kidneys, and brain), and cancer.

Learn more »

Five Central Valley counties (Fresno, Kings, Plumas, Tulare, and Kern) averaged particulate matter concentrations that are considered to be potentially harmful, among counties with data in 2014.

Long-term exposure to high levels of particulate matter, commonly found in diesel exhaust, may be related to heart and respiratory disease, along with adverse reproductive or pregnancy outcomes, among other health problems.

Learn More »

Policy Implications

To protect children’s health, federal and state environmental laws and regulations that limit harmful waste and byproducts of agricultural, industrial, and other practices should be enforced and strengthened. Environmental safeguards can be bolstered by maintaining funding for national, state, and local agencies; increasing collaboration across agencies; and requiring reporting of environmental data to the public. The Environmental Protection Agency has a leadership role in ensuring that we are all protected from environmental risks.

See additional policy implications »

Learn more about the Environmental Protection Agency »

We're Hiring!

The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health is seeking a Senior Manager of Communications & External Relations. This person will have broad responsibility for planning, executing, and evaluating activities that promote the products of the Programs and Partnerships Department, including kidsdata.org.

Learn more and apply »

Stay Up To Date With Kidsdata

Kidsdata.org is a program of the Lucile Packard Foundation of Children's Health, which uses data to promote the health and well being of children.

Email not displaying correctly? Click here to view it in your browser

Unsubscribe      Update Profile

This email was sent by: %%Member_Busname%%
%%Member_Addr%% %%Member_City%%, %%Member_State%%, %%Member_PostalCode%%, %%Member_Country%%