CHEJ's September E-Bulletin

New York Establishes First Children's Environmental Health Council --- Governor Pataki has signed into law a new bill that will establish the first ever New York State Children's Environmental Health Council. The Council will develop health-protective programs and regulations to be implemented by school districts and boards of cooperating educational facilities. The Council will also be charged with reporting to both the Governor and the legislature about progress on these efforts. The creation of this new Council signals that protecting children from environmental health threats is an important goal for the state of New York.

Click here or go to http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=a6905 to read a summary of the bill.

North Carolina Bans Toxics from Schools --- North Carolina has taken an exciting first step towards protecting its children from environmental health hazards. A new bill, titled "School Children's Health Act," provides for the elimination of health threats such as pesticides, mercury, diesel fumes, arsenic in wood, and mold from public schools. This innovative legislation has already passed the House and the Senate and now awaits approval from the Governor. Beginning this fall, schools will be required to crack down on idling buses, eliminate or coat arsenic treated wood in playgrounds, and maintain mercury-free science classrooms. Schools will have five years to fully implement the components of the program, such as Integrated Pest Management -- a strategy that ensures pests are eliminated without risking students' health. Numerous North Carolina school districts have already adopted these policies voluntarily and many report cost savings as a result. This victory is the result of the hard work of the Pesticide Education Project of the Agricultural Resources Center and their partner North Carolina communities. CHEJ congratulates our friends on taking this bold move to protect children's environmental health.



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