About the Authors |
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xv | |
Introduction |
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xvii | |
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1 The Changing Patterns of Disease in Children |
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1 | (6) |
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How have patterns of disease in children changed over the past century? |
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1 | (2) |
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What are the predominant diseases of children today? |
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3 | (4) |
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2 The Chemical Environment |
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7 | (18) |
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What are the origins of the chemical manufacturing industry? |
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7 | (1) |
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When were environmentally caused diseases first observed? |
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8 | (1) |
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How many untested chemicals are in commercial production today? |
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9 | (1) |
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Have some manufactured chemicals benefited children's health? |
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10 | (1) |
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How are new chemicals developed and brought to market? |
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11 | (1) |
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Have there been there early warnings of chemical problems? |
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12 | (1) |
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How many of today's chemicals have been tested for safety or toxicity? |
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13 | (1) |
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Why have chemicals not been tested for safety or toxicity? |
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14 | (1) |
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What is the Safe Chemicals Act? |
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14 | (1) |
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What are countries outside of the United States doing to promote chemical safety? |
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15 | (2) |
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What is the impact of REACH, the European chemical safety law, on children in the United States? |
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17 | (1) |
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How do we know that children are being exposed to untested chemicals in the environment? |
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18 | (1) |
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What are the dangers of failure to test chemicals for safety and toxicity? |
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18 | (2) |
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Are there other chemicals in wide use today that are harming children's health? |
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20 | (2) |
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If nothing is done, is it likely that this problem will continue to grow? |
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22 | (3) |
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3 Children's Unique Vulnerability to Toxic Chemicals in the Environment |
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25 | (10) |
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Are children more vulnerable than adults to toxic chemicals in the environment? |
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25 | (1) |
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What historical evidence supports the argument that children are vulnerable to toxic chemicals in the environment? |
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25 | (2) |
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Why are infants and children so sensitive to toxic chemicals? |
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27 | (5) |
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What changes in public policy resulted from the NAS Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children report? |
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32 | (1) |
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What has happened in the two decades since release of the NAS report Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children? |
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33 | (1) |
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What are international agencies doing about children's environmental health? |
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34 | (1) |
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Is the World Health Organization involved in protecting children against environmental threats to health? |
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34 | (1) |
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4 The Links Between Toxic Chemicals in the Environment and Disease in Children |
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35 | (38) |
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What caused the recent surge in research into the effects of toxic chemicals on children's health? |
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35 | (2) |
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Can a toxic chemical cause problems In children who show no symptoms or minimal symptoms? |
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37 | (1) |
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What is the impact of subclinical toxicity on society? |
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38 | (2) |
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What research methods are used to identify links between chemical exposure and childhood disease? |
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40 | (2) |
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What new tools are used In current research in children's environmental health? |
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42 | (1) |
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What is a biomarker of a disease? |
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42 | (1) |
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What is an example of a biomarker of exposure to a toxic chemical? |
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43 | (1) |
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What childhood diseases are currently linked to toxic environmental exposures? |
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44 | (23) |
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What are the most pressing questions about the links between environmental chemicals in use in commercial products today and childhood disease? |
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67 | (1) |
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What are the next frontiers of research in understanding how environmental exposures can cause disease in children? |
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68 | (2) |
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Is there evidence that harmful environmental exposures in early life cause disease in adult life? |
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70 | (1) |
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What are the economic costs of childhood diseases caused by toxic chemicals in the environment? |
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70 | (1) |
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Conversely, what are the economic benefits of preventing disease in children caused by toxic chemicals in the environment? |
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71 | (2) |
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73 | (14) |
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How do I know if my home has lead in it? |
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74 | (2) |
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Where Is lead typically found in a home? |
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76 | (1) |
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What do I do if I find evidence of lead paint in my home? |
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77 | (1) |
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What is the correct way to remove lead paint? |
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78 | (1) |
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Can children or pregnant women stay in a home during lead abatement? |
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79 | (1) |
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How does lead get into drinking water? |
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79 | (2) |
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Can lead exposure be tested for medically? Should I have my child tested for lead? |
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81 | (1) |
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I have lead in my home. What do I do in the interim between discovery and abatement? |
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82 | (1) |
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Do children's toys contain lead? |
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83 | (1) |
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What other imported items contain lead? |
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84 | (3) |
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6 Allergens and Respiratory Irritants at Home |
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87 | (12) |
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Is the air In my home polluted? |
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88 | (1) |
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What are the effects of smoking indoors on air quality? |
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89 | (2) |
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Do everyday household products pollute the air in a home? |
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91 | (4) |
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Is wall-to-wall carpeting an allergen? |
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95 | (1) |
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Does my pet pollute my home's air? |
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96 | (1) |
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Do I need a mattress cover? |
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96 | (1) |
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Are stuffed animals okay to have around? |
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97 | (2) |
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7 Endocrine Disrupters in the Home |
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99 | (12) |
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What are the most common endocrine disruptors? |
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100 | (2) |
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Are there other chemicals in commercial use that are endocrine disruptors? |
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102 | (1) |
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So do plastics contain endocrine disruptors? |
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103 | (1) |
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Can I microwave foods in plastic containers or with plastic wrap? |
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104 | (1) |
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Do water bottles contain endocrine disruptors? |
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104 | (1) |
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Is cold water safer than hot water for cooking and drinking? |
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105 | (1) |
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Are all baby bottles safe? |
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105 | (1) |
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Why do we recommend silicone for nipples and pacifiers? |
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106 | (1) |
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What types of food packaging contain endocrine disruptors? |
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106 | (1) |
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Does cookware contain endocrine disruptors? |
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106 | (1) |
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Are there furniture and carpet components that are toxic? |
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107 | (1) |
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Do flame retardants pose the same threats as stain repellants? |
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107 | (1) |
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Are endocrine disruptors present in soaps? |
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108 | (1) |
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Do air fresheners contain endocrine disruptors? |
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109 | (1) |
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So does perfume contain endocrine disruptors, too? What about cosmetics? |
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110 | (1) |
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8 Pesticides and Herbicides |
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111 | (14) |
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What's wrong with pesticides? |
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111 | (1) |
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What are organophosphate pesticides? |
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112 | (1) |
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Is pesticide use increasing or decreasing? |
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113 | (1) |
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Are there safe, effective ways to get rid of pests without using pesticides? |
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114 | (1) |
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I am using an exterminator. What can I do to minimize chemical exposure from pesticides? |
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115 | (1) |
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Are lawn chemicals toxic? |
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116 | (1) |
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I don't use lawn chemicals or other pesticides. How is it possible that my household is still exposed to these toxic chemicals? |
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116 | (1) |
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How can I tell if a yard has been treated with pesticides? |
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117 | (1) |
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How can I have a nice lawn without chemical fertilizers and pesticides? |
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118 | (1) |
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My home has termites. How bad are the various options for extermination in terms of toxicity? |
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119 | (3) |
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My home has roaches. Are nontoxic extermination options available? |
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122 | (1) |
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Do most flea and tick collars on pets contain toxic chemicals? |
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123 | (2) |
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125 | (18) |
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Which foods are the most likely to contain toxic pesticide residues? |
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125 | (2) |
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Are some fruits and vegetables more likely than others to carry pesticide residues? |
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127 | (1) |
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Do terms like local and in season really matter when it comes to fruits and vegetables? |
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128 | (1) |
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What are food additives, and do they have health consequences? |
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129 | (1) |
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What's the deal with genetically modified (GM) foods? |
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130 | (2) |
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So do I buy GM foods or not? |
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132 | (1) |
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What is processed food, and does it contain toxic chemicals? |
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133 | (1) |
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What is pasteurization, and does it have anything to do with toxic chemicals in food? |
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134 | (1) |
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What's the difference between organic and nonorganic dairy products? |
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134 | (1) |
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How do I know which fish is safe to eat? |
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135 | (2) |
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Does ground beef contain E.coli? |
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137 | (1) |
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Are peanuts toxic for children? |
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138 | (2) |
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What precautions should be taken to prevent toxic chemicals from getting into a home garden? |
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140 | (3) |
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10 Toxic Chemicals and Other Hazards in the Home |
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143 | (12) |
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What is me most effective way to prevent children from ingestion or exposure to toxic chemicals in the household? |
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143 | (2) |
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What is the best thing to do if a child ingests or is otherwise exposed to a toxic chemical? |
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145 | (1) |
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How do I safely dispose of unwanted chemicals? |
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146 | (1) |
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Are all baby products safe and nontoxic? |
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146 | (2) |
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148 | (1) |
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Are there negative effects of using antibacterial cleaning products? |
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148 | (1) |
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Which insect repellants are safe? |
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149 | (1) |
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Is the radiation emitted by mobile phones unhealthy? |
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150 | (1) |
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What is radon and should I have my home tested for it? |
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150 | (2) |
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What is asbestos and how do I know if it's in my home? |
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152 | (1) |
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Is it okay to have exposed fiberglass insulation in the less-inhabited parts of my home? |
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153 | (1) |
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153 | (2) |
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155 | (8) |
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Does the daycare facility meet fire-safety codes? |
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155 | (2) |
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Does the daycare facility meet health codes? |
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157 | (1) |
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Does the daycare facility have a lead problem? |
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157 | (1) |
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Does the daycare provider lock up all medications? |
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157 | (1) |
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Does the daycare provider use nontoxic cleaning products? |
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158 | (1) |
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Does the daycare provider have a strict hand-washing policy? |
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158 | (1) |
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Does the daycare use lead-free and asbestos-free crayons? |
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159 | (1) |
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Does the daycare provider apply pesticides anywhere in the facility? |
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160 | (1) |
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Does the play area contain toxic materials or pressure-treated lumber? |
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160 | (3) |
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163 | (16) |
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How can I find out if my child's school has had lead or asbestos problems in the past? |
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163 | (2) |
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What are the implications and complications of lead in school buildings? |
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165 | (1) |
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What are the implications of asbestos being present in a school building? |
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166 | (1) |
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Should asbestos be removed from a school building? |
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166 | (1) |
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What if my child has already been exposed to asbestos in his school? |
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167 | (1) |
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What can parents do to demand action or transparency related to asbestos? |
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168 | (1) |
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How can I make sure that the drinking water in my child's school Is lead-free? |
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169 | (1) |
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What precautions should be in place for a school science lab? |
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170 | (2) |
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What precautions should be in place for art studios? |
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172 | (2) |
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What is a hazardous spill plan and do schools need them? |
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174 | (1) |
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175 | (1) |
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Can school buildings be worked on structurally (i.e., roof repair) while school is in session? |
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176 | (3) |
Epilogue |
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179 | (2) |
Resources and References |
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181 | (14) |
Index |
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195 | |