As summer approaches, millions of children are at risk for breathing unhealthy levels of pollution on a regular basis, which can be especially harmful to those with asthma. Studies link daily increases in fine particle pollution to reduced lung function, greater use of asthma medications, and increased rates of school absenteeism, emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and premature death. Find out more about what you and your family can do with these Family Safety Tips from the American Lung Association. Also, learn about the quality of air in your community, searchable by zip code.

The FDA and EPA warn that children and pregnant (or soon-to-be pregnant) women should avoid albacore ("white") tuna and other high-mercury fish. Five types of fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.

In California's Contra Costa County, an environmentally-savvy mom is helping preschool administrators recognize and eliminate toxic hazards in their classrooms. This article originally appeared in the January-February 2004 issue of the Children's Advocate, published by Action Alliance for Children.

The summary of this November, 2003 workshop of the Roundtable on Environmental Sciences, Research, and Medicine has been released by the Institute of Medicine.

An estimated one in ten women is at risk of delivering an infant with neurological problems due to prenatal exposure to mercury. In 1998, the New England Governors made a commitment to reducing mercury emissions in their region. The New England Zero Mercury Campaign reports their coordinated efforts have led to a 55 percent reduction in mercury emissions so far. But continued success will require hard work and strong political will to counter pressures from industry and budget cuts for pollution prevention measures and public education efforts. In addition, many New Englanders continue to eat mercury-contaminated fish unaware of the potential danger.
Do you know the difference between "light" and "white" albacore?

The Children's Environmental Health Network reports that, with some notable exceptions like an EPA proposal to limit diesel-related pollution from off-road diesel engines and proposed improvements to the cancer risk assessment process, the Bush administration's environmental decisions have reduced protections for children's health in favor of boosting protections for business interests.

This supplement of Pediatrics magazine looks at the number of environmental health risks where children live and play, and how parents and pediatricians can protect kids. Topics include evaluating the links between childhood cancers and environmental problems, herbal remedies that can pose a threat to children, pollutants' effects on growth and maturation, the impact of agricultural uses of antibiotics on children's health and lead poisoning in developing countries.

The Institute of Medicine says a federal interagency group should develop and implement an integrated risk-management strategy and action plan to reduce human exposure to dioxins in foods. This is especially important for girls and women, whose bodies can accumulate these toxic compounds well before childbearing, posing a risk to fetal development. Because the specific health risks of dioxins in foods are still unknown, the report recommends voluntary measures but does not recommend regulatory limits on the levels of these compounds in food or feed.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has released an updated booklet on environmental health, outlining strides made to make air and water cleaner, and what families should know.

Asthma is the most common chronic condition in children. Undiagnosed or under-treated, it can cause serious health problems, and even death. Athletic trainer James Rogers believes all kids should be screened for asthma—not in their doctor's offices, but outside after exercise. Star Lawrence reports on Rogers' campaign.