"Environmental Exposures in Early Childhood Education Environments” free webinar
In this presentation, Dr. Bradman will share the results of his study, which examined environmental characteristics and contaminant levels in air and dust in 40 California early childhood education (ECE) facilities. This study is the first to provide a detailed analysis of environmental contaminants and exposures for children in daycare centers. In the daycare centers that were examined, over 40 airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected. In most facilities, levels of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, chloroform, benzene, or ethylbenzene exceeded child-specific Safe Harbor Levels, as computed by the report authors based on Proposition 65 guidelines for carcinogens. Formaldehyde levels exceeded California health guidelines in 87.5% of the facilities and acetaldehyde concentrations were lower than the California health guidelines, but still exceeded the U.S. EPA Reference Concentration in 30% of the facilities. When chemical groups were compared, the two VOCs having the highest concentration in the facilities were those commonly found in cleaning and personal care products. However, for these and most other VOCs, health-based dose or exposure benchmarks are not available. Phthalates, flame retardants, pesticides, perfluorinated compounds, and lead were also frequently detected in dust and/or air, and Dr. Bradman will discuss child dose estimates from the ingestion of dust containing these substances. Additionally, the investigators examined exposure to particulate matter and estimated that the PM10 concentration exceeded the level of the 24-hour California Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) in 46% of the ECE facilities. Overall, the findings suggest that ECE environments are similar to other indoor environments such as schools and residences, but also demonstrate the importance of taking further steps to reduce levels of formaldehyde and some other VOCs in indoor environments. Dr. Bradman will discuss mitigation strategies, which may be warranted to reduce exposures to these VOCs.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/seminars/bradman/bradman.htm
Asa Bradman Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 10:30am - 12 Noon PDT
Sierra Hearing Room, 2nd Floor, Cal/EPA Building
1001 I Street, Sacramento, California
In this presentation, Dr. Bradman will share the results of his study, which examined environmental characteristics and contaminant levels in air and dust in 40 California early childhood education (ECE) facilities. This study is the first to provide a detailed analysis of environmental contaminants and exposures for children in daycare centers. In the daycare centers that were examined, over 40 airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected. In most facilities, levels of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, chloroform, benzene, or ethylbenzene exceeded child-specific Safe Harbor Levels, as computed by the report authors based on Proposition 65 guidelines for carcinogens. Formaldehyde levels exceeded California health guidelines in 87.5% of the facilities and acetaldehyde concentrations were lower than the California health guidelines, but still exceeded the U.S. EPA Reference Concentration in 30% of the facilities. When chemical groups were compared, the two VOCs having the highest concentration in the facilities were those commonly found in cleaning and personal care products. However, for these and most other VOCs, health-based dose or exposure benchmarks are not available. Phthalates, flame retardants, pesticides, perfluorinated compounds, and lead were also frequently detected in dust and/or air, and Dr. Bradman will discuss child dose estimates from the ingestion of dust containing these substances. Additionally, the investigators examined exposure to particulate matter and estimated that the PM10 concentration exceeded the level of the 24-hour California Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) in 46% of the ECE facilities. Overall, the findings suggest that ECE environments are similar to other indoor environments such as schools and residences, but also demonstrate the importance of taking further steps to reduce levels of formaldehyde and some other VOCs in indoor environments. Dr. Bradman will discuss mitigation strategies, which may be warranted to reduce exposures to these VOCs.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/seminars/bradman/bradman.htm
Asa Bradman Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 10:30am - 12 Noon PDT
Sierra Hearing Room, 2nd Floor, Cal/EPA Building
1001 I Street, Sacramento, California
This event is also being Webcast, click here to view
Webcast viewers: Please send your questions during broadcast to: sierrarm (at) calepa.ca.gov
Presentation will be available at this link