Combating environmental hazards has helped improve children’s health, according to a new report by the White House and the U.S. EPA. The report, which is scheduled to be released shortly, found that childhood lead poisoning and children’s exposure to second-hand smoke have both declined, largely due to targeted campaigns. However, the remaining cases of lead poisoning disproportionately affect poor and minority children. The report does not make policy or funding recommendations, but it does suggest the need for further investigation of the relationship between mercury exposure and child development, and of childhood asthma rates, which are on the rise even though air quality has been improving for 15 years.
