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WHITMAN VISITS PHOENIX-AREA SCHOOL TO CELEBRATE CHILDREN’S HEALTH MONTH, TEACHES SUN SAFETY TO STUDENTS

Release Date: 10/15/2002
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Environmental News

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman visited a predominantly Spanish-speaking elementary school near Phoenix as part of her ongoing focus on Children’s Health Month and bringing attention to health issues faced by children. During her visit to Pedro W. Guerrero Elementary School in Mesa, Ariz., Whitman showed a new way to help protect children’s health in Spanish-speaking communities by screening a Spanish language video that helps children and families create healthier home environments.

“EPA is committed to making our air cleaner, our water purer, and our land better protected. Informed actions taken every day by individual citizens are an important part of protecting the health of children, families and the environment,” said Whitman.

The video, “Tres Amigos … Al Rescate,” is part of EPA’s increasing effort to inform diverse communities about environmental health risks to children. It is part of an education packet that also contains a Spanish language booklet offering additional information and practical tips about home safety. The packet will be available to Spanish language communities across the country. In the video’s story line, Uncle Julio, in anticipation of a visit from his niece and nephew, tries to make his home safer. Uncle Julio’s three pets -- the “Tres Amigos” -- swing into action to help.

Whitman also discussed Sun Wise, an environmental and health education program designed to teach children and their care givers how to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Sun Wise is a partnership program with schools, which in turn sponsor classroom, school, and community activities that raise children’s awareness of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation and simple sun care strategies. There are currently 4,850 schools in 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., participating in the Sunwise program. For more information on the Sun Wise Program, see: https://www.epa.gov/sunwise/ .

Overexposure to UV radiation can cause serious health effects, including skin cancer and other skin disorders, cataracts and immune system suppression. It’s estimated that most of the average person's lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. By following a number of simple steps, people can still enjoy time spent outdoors while protecting themselves from overexposure to UV rays, such as: wearing a hat; wearing tightly woven, loose-fitting, full length clothing; using SPF 15+ sunscreen; using UV-blocking sunglasses; and by simply seeking shade when outside.

EPA this month is celebrating Children’s Health Month. At the EPA, protecting children from environmental health risks is fundamental to efforts to make the world a better place now and for future generations. During Children’s Health Month, EPA will highlight its efforts to protect children from environmental harm and share tips on what individuals can do to protect the children around them. For more information on Children’s Health Month, see: www.childrenshealth.gov . More information on EPA’s children’s health program is available at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/hi-childrenshealthmonth.htm .

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