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Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units

Christine Rosheim, DDS,MPH
PEHSU Lead
Alternate contact: Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics office, 202-347-4976
Division of Health Education and Promotion
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
1600 Clifton Rd., MS E33
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-639-5080
URL: http://www.atsdr.cdc.g ov/child/whatsnew.html#units

Mission Statement

 
The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) were established to provide quality care for children and to increase the knowledge base of pediatric environmental medicine by providing a joint forum for environmental specialists and pediatricians to share information. Each PEHSU provides pediatric environmental expertise and coordinated services in the areas of medical education and training, consultation, and clinical refferals. Parents and primary care providers may call with questions and consult with experts in pediatric toxicology and environmental medicine.

The four current units are funded by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), are affiliates of the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC). ATSDR and AOEC hope to establish up to 10 PEHSUs throughout the country, one in each EPA/ATSDR region.

  • No membership

    • Children's Environmental Health Activities

    		 
    Each unit provides pediatric environmental expertise and coordinated services in the areas of medical education and training, consultation, and clinical specialty referrals. Physicians who see children with environmental exposures or possible environment-related illnesses can consult with experts in pediatric toxicology and environmental medicine.

    Pediatric referral units have been opened at the following regional locations:

    • New England (Boston) Region 1: The Occupational and Environmental Health Center at Cambridge Hospital.

      The collaborators on this unit are the Pediatric Environmental Health Center at Children's Hospital, Boston collaborating with the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine of the Massachusetts Respiratory Hospital and the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program at Harvard School of Public Health. 1-888-child14 (1-888-244-5314).

    • Middle Atlantic (New York) Region 2: Mount Sinai Medical Center, Pediatric Center for Environmental Medicine.

      Much of the effort will center on increasing cooperation and communication between the pediatric faculty and the occupational and environmental faculty at each site.

      In addition, the Pediatric Units will work with and instruct local health care providers about environmental health and the special concerns and medical interventions which might be needed by the various pediatric age groups. The educational activities will encompass not only the physiological concerns but also the psychological effects of living near hazardous waste sites. The activities will also include methods of communicating risk to both parents and children in a suitable manner. Curricula developed in each site for will require evaluations by the clinic staff. This unit is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine (ATPM). 212-241-6173.

    • Pacific Northwest (Seattle) Region 10:

      The Harborview Medical Center at the University of Washington.

      This unit is a collaborative effort of the University of Washington's Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program and the Department of Environmental Health in School of Public Health, the Washington Poison Control Center, and Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center. 1-877-kid-chem (in state) 1-206-526-2121 out of state.

    Please note: the information presented above was provided and reviewed for accuracy by Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units and was not verified independently by the Children's Environmental Health Network.
    Publication date: 6/2/99
    Resource Guide Table of Contents