Children are uniquely vulnerable to environmental hazards. Their physiological and behavioral traits can increase their risk of exposure to certain toxicants, and their still-developing bodies and organ systems are at greater risk of harm from these exposures.

Children can be exposed to these hazards in polluted air, water, dust and soil, and via harmful contaminants in food, toys, consumer products, furnishings, and building materials. They are also exposed prenatally, as many toxicants can pass from a mother to her developing child.

For more information about children's environmental health, visit APHA's Children's Environmental Health page.

Policy statements:

APHA has relevant, evidence-based policy statements that include key recommendations for child-protective public health policy and regulations:

• Protecting Children's Environmental Health: A Comprehensive Framework

• Establishing Environmental Public Health Systems for Children at Risk or with Environmental Exposures in Schools

Another relevant and important APHA policy statement addresses environmental justice and health equity:

• Addressing Environmental Justice to Achieve Health Equity

Search APHA's database for additional policy statements.

Key dates for awareness and action:

• 1st full week of April - National Public Health Week (NPHW)

NPHW is a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation's health. For over 25 years, APHA has served as the organizer of NPHW. Every year, the Association develops a national campaign to educate the public, policymakers and practitioners about issues related to each year's theme. APHA creates new NPHW materials each year that can be used during and after NPHW to raise awareness about public health and prevention.

• 1st Tuesday of every April - National Healthy Schools Day

Since 2002, parents, teachers, school nurses, custodians, advocates, and agencies have promoted National Healthy Schools Day activities nationwide. Participants can host a local activity that educates others and celebrates your school's successes with regard to a healthy school environment. Organizers promote the use of EPA's Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools guidance as well as other EPA environmental health guidelines and programs for schools and children’s health.

• 2nd Thursday of every October - Children's Environmental Health Day (CEH Day)

This day is a rallying point for raising awareness, advocating for more protective environmental health policies, and for lifting up successful or promising initiatives, programs, or organizations, and for celebrating visionary leaders in the field. Organizations, communities, families, and individuals can: host their own CEH Day events or activities or join existing ones; release reports, statements, or other publications; organize advocacy efforts; and more.