Environmental Quality in California Child Care

This project includes both research and outreach activities to reduce chemical exposures and improve environmental quality in child care settings in California, with the ultimate goal of protecting children’s health.

Young children are more vulnerable to environmental exposures than older children and adults. Many young children spend considerable time in child care and preschools, yet little is known about what chemical and environmental exposures they may be receiving in these settings.

The Environmental Quality in California Child Care Research and Outreach Program aims to:

• Identify pest problems and pest management practices in California’s licensed child care centers,
• Measure the levels of environmental contaminants that are found in child care facilities,
• Evaluate the potential health risk these exposures may pose,
• Develop inexpensive strategies for child care providers to reduce exposures to children in their facilities.

Environmental Quality in California Child Care Activities:

Study: Environmental Exposures in Child Care Facilities

Study: Pest Management and Pesticide Use in Child Care Centers

Integrated Pest Management Toolkit

Workshops and Training for Child Care Providers

Green Cleaning Toolkit

Chemicals in Children’s Markers

Why Study Child Care Centers?

A. Children are vulnerable to environmental exposures

B. Children spend a great deal of time in child care settings

C. Child care environments contain substances that can be dangerous for children

Collaborators:

• We have worked closely with the California Childcare Health Program to develop our Environmental Quality in California Child Care research and outreach program.