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The environment and girls’ health

Health Effects From the Environment

http://www.girlshealth.gov/

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The environment and girls’ health

Everything around us affects the way that girls’ bodies work and grow. This includes the sun, water, air, chemicals, and even noise. There are many things in the environment that are good for girls, like clean water and air, vitamin D that comes from the sun, and healthy foods. But there are also some hazards in the environment that can hurt our children. These include dirty air or water, too much sun, very loud noises, and chemicals.

Did you know?
Did you know that even though kids weigh less than adults, they drink more water, eat more food, and breathe more air (per pound of body weight) than adults? Because growing girls don’t weigh as much as adults, the things they take into their bodies affect them even more than these same things affect adults. (That’s why poisons can have a greater effect on kids’ and teens’ health. It is also why alcohol can poison a teen faster than it might poison a grown man or woman.)

As a parent or caregiver, you want to do all you can to keep your daughter healthy. You can start making a difference today by learning about environmental health and how it affects girls.

Websites

Envirofacts – Want to find out about environmental topics in your local area? This website allows you to search within your zip code or state to find out more about your environmental surroundings.
Environmental Health Topics – This website offers information on different contaminants, diseases related to environmental exposure, and more.
Environments – Concerned about harmful substances in and outside of your home? This resource tells about different types of environmental risks and the potential effects they could have on your health.
Healthy Homes – This website lists possible health hazards by each room found in your home. It also provides tips on how to make your house more “green.”

Publications

Noise and Its Effects on Children – Exactly how loud is a jack hammer at 5 A.M.? This resource can tell you! It explains how your ears work and what you can do to protect your children from potential hearing loss.
Protecting Children from the Sun – Trying to beat the heat? This resource includes tips on how to protect your family from the sun. It also links to brochures on sun safety in the schools.
Sun Safety: Save Your Skin! – This publication offers helpful suggestions such as the safest times to go out in the sun, how to apply sunscreen, and how what things you and your family should wear when exposed to sunlight.
What You Can Do to Protect Children from Environmental Risks – This resource provides an overview of important environmental issues to ensure safety in your home. It gives many links to other helpful publications on “going green.”
Attack Asthma. Learn More – Even though your child may not have asthma, learning about the triggers of the disease can help improve the quality of the air you breathe. This resource gives lists of things your family can do in and around the home to control your child’s asthma.
Common Poisons at Home & Work – This resource links to publications that can help keep your family safe from contaminants such as lead, mercury, and hydrocarbons.
Dangerous Chemicals in the Home – Worried about chemicals in your home harming your family? This publication lists the top five most common chemicals found in households and gives tips to prevent them from becoming dangerous situations for you and your loved ones.
Water Safety for Parents – It is important to be aware of water safety practices as injuries can happen in amounts as small as one inch of water. Safety tips for the home, pool, and larger bodies of water are provided for parents in this publication.

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