protecting the fetus and the child
from environmental hazards

a healthy environment
for all children

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California:  Specific Sites

Homes

Many organizations acknowledged health threats found in the home including poor quality housing, lead, pesticides used in homes and on lawns, mold, mildew, and other sources of indoor air pollution.

Schools

Leaders from diverse disciplines unanimously stated that children face many health threats in California's schools. They described the prevalence of lead and pesticide use, and the possible additional health risk from portable classrooms. Individuals reported that several schools are adjacent to agricultural fields, polluting factories, heavily trafficked transportation routes, or other areas contributing to poor air quality. Moreover, some expressed outrage that diesel buses are still used to transport children (components of diesel fuel have been linked to cancer). Leaders also advocated for safe routes to school, pedestrian safety, as well as lice prevention and treatment.

Suburban sprawl

Various groups expressed concern that suburban sprawl is replacing many of California's farmlands, with more Californians living closer to farms and further increasing their exposure to agricultural pesticide spray. People also specified that suburban sprawl relies too heavily on cars and minimizes alternative forms of transportation, thereby increasing air pollution and sedentary lifestyles. Potentially inadequate water supplies and a lower quality of life were also mentioned as negative consequences of suburban sprawl.

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