Green Kids Doc

Secondhand and Thirdhand Cigarette and Marijuana Smoke

April 11, 2017

In 2006, the U.S. Surgeon General reported that “the scientific evidence indicates there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand [tobacco] smoke.” At that time, over 50,000 deaths per year were attributed to secondhand tobacco smoke alone. Although more studies are needed on cannabis (marijuana) secondhand and thirdhand smoke, some data already available shows … More Secondhand and Thirdhand Cigarette and Marijuana Smoke

Prevention is the best medicine: How to keep your kids safe from gun accidents

January 3, 2017

Turn on the local news in the US and, more often than not, you’ll hear a story about gun violence. Serious injuries and fatalities from guns occur far too often nowadays. Whether or not stricter gun control laws are the answer is a topic for another day. However, one thing that everyone can agree on … More Prevention is the best medicine: How to keep your kids safe from gun accidents

Children’s Environmental Health Bulletin

December 29, 2016

Please enjoy the latest Children’s Environmental Health Bulletin from the US EPA. Take special note of the requests for public comment on air and water contaminants. This is a real opportunity to have your voice heard, since the EPA is required to not only read, but “consider” all comments when issuing its final rules. I … More Children’s Environmental Health Bulletin

Superbugs: Resistance is Futile

December 6, 2016

What do a paper cut, cooking dinner, visiting the doctor’s office and an airplane ride have in common? All of them may seem harmless, but they may be sources of infection, and could also cause the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when germs are resistant to “antimicrobials” (e.g. antibiotics); the medicine doesn’t cure … More Superbugs: Resistance is Futile

Vaping: The New Trend

November 15, 2016

What is vaping? Vaping is the act of breathing in flavored vapor through a commercial device (shown below). The flavored vapor is created by heating up a liquid that contains various concentrations of nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and natural or artificial flavoring. Some popular flavors are raspberry, cotton candy, vanilla, and caramel cheesecake. Not … More Vaping: The New Trend

Pretty Scary 2: Unmasking Toxic Chemicals in Kids’ Makeup and Face Paint

October 25, 2016

A new report released by the Breast Cancer Fund’s Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (2016, October 13), uncovers the widespread presence of toxic chemicals in kids’ cosmetics and face paints. The Breast Cancer Fund sent 48 Halloween face paints to an independent laboratory to have them tested for heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, … More Pretty Scary 2: Unmasking Toxic Chemicals in Kids’ Makeup and Face Paint

Environmental Violence Increases Likelihood of Dating Violence and Health Problems

September 8, 2016

Unfortunately, violence has become a regular part of our environment. “Environment” in this case, can mean the area around our neighborhoods or our children’s schools. And it can mean our virtual environment, on the news or in our children’s video games. As young people develop in today’s interconnected world, each of these exposures to … More Environmental Violence Increases Likelihood of Dating Violence and Health Problems

Online Resources to Ensure Your and Your Family’s Safety this Summer

June 28, 2016

Summer! School is out and fun is in. For parents, summertime also means thinking about child safety while kids spend more time outdoors and at home. Here are a few reliable online resources that provide information to help parents navigate common summertime (and even year-round) exposures. 1. Protection against the sun: Choosing the healthiest and … More Online Resources to Ensure Your and Your Family’s Safety this Summer

BPA: What’s in your Tupperware?

April 25, 2016

In April 2016, Campbell’s announced a plan to phase out bisphenol A lining in their soup cans. The idea was first announced in 2012 but the transition was delayed by the difficulty in finding a suitable alternative. Acidic liquids like tomato soup react with the containers they sit in and can release harmful byproducts into … More BPA: What’s in your Tupperware?

Understanding Zika Virus

March 27, 2016

Zika virus is one of the hottest topics in the news today. While we are learning much about this virus, there is still a lot that is unclear. The current hype is due to the potential link between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and birth defects. There is also a potential link between Zika and … More Understanding Zika Virus

Get Warm: How to Spot and Prevent Cold – Related Injuries

November 9, 2015

With winter fast approaching and climate change causing increased temperature extremes, the importance of cold injury awareness becomes more relevant. The CDC reports that exposure to excessive natural cold has claimed the lives of over 250 people per year on average from 2006-2010. Individuals at greatest risk include the elderly, infants, people with chronic diseases … More Get Warm: How to Spot and Prevent Cold – Related Injuries

Lunch Meat, Hot Dogs, and Cancer

September 2, 2015

Do you eat lunch meat, hot dogs, bacon, sausages or other packaged or cured meats? If so, all of these products contain added nitrates and nitrites which preserve the meats and fix color, add flavor, and prevent the fats from going bad. Nitrates and nitrites have become hot topics in recent years because of reports … More Lunch Meat, Hot Dogs, and Cancer

Summertime – and the Breathing is Easy — cough, wheeze, pant…

August 20, 2015

If you, your child, or your patients have asthma, you may have noticed that symptoms get worse on hot, humid days. Unfortunately, ozone and particles in the air – the main components of air pollution — may be to blame. People who suffer from wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath on hot days should consider … More Summertime – and the Breathing is Easy — cough, wheeze, pant…

Listen Up! Childhood Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss

May 5, 2015

Exposure to loud noise is a common cause of hearing loss. When we think of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) we often think of very loud noises with long term exposures in adults; like a near-deaf ex-rocker who played way too many concerts in front of the amplifier, or the construction worker who regularly operates a jackhammer … More Listen Up! Childhood Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss

Read this post: CO kills

April 15, 2015

What is carbon monoxide? Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas made from the inefficient burning of carbon-based fuels like coal, wood, oil, propane, and natural gas. Your risk of exposure increases if these fuels are burned in small spaces with improper ventilation such as in garages or basement rooms. How do I know if I’m … More Read this post: CO kills

How the environment can make your child’s asthma worse

March 25, 2015

As the season changes, many children may experience problems with their asthma. There are things you can do to reduce your child’s risk of an asthma attack caused by environmental exposures. Read on for information about this topic: What is asthma? Asthma is a disease of the small airways in the lungs, characterized by a … More How the environment can make your child’s asthma worse

Rodenticides: Keep critters at bay but keep children away

May 15, 2017

This year, four children in Texas died after an unpleasant smell was noticed in their home. It was later discovered that the landlord had sprayed rodenticides around the outside of the house. How could this have been prevented? In another news report, a 1-year old boy experienced vomiting and green diarrhea after his mother found … More Rodenticides: Keep critters at bay but keep children away