Children interact with our environment much differently than adults do and continue to grow and develop, which is why children’s environmental health is so important. Things in our environment can also affect a pregnant woman's health and the health of her baby. This Environmental Health Guide is designed to:
- Help parents, caregivers and expecting parents become aware of potential environmental hazards that could harm their child’s health.
- Give child care providers guidance on environmental health regulations for their child care facilities.
Harmful contaminants may be found in both public and private drinking water supplies that can cause significant health risks to babies and children. Testing your drinking water is important to make sure it is free of these contaminants.
Learn more about drinking water contaminants and their health effects
Parents, Caregivers and Expecting Parents
The Health Department recommends private well owners test their water regularly.
Child Care Providers
Child care licensure regulations now include public and private drinking water testing requirements. For more information about these regulations, contact the Vermont Department for Children and Families at 800-649-2642.
Here is information about testing your child care facility for drinking water contaminants:
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in paint and drinking water and may cause serious and permanent health problems. Children and pregnant women are at special risk for lead poisoning. There is no safe level of lead in the body, but lead poisoning can be prevented.
Learn more about lead hazards and how to prevent lead poisoning
Parents, Caregivers and Expecting Parents
All children should be tested for lead at ages 1 and 2. Talk to your child’s health care provider about testing your child for lead through a blood test. Depending on the result, the health care provider may recommend additional testing. Learn more about lead testing
During pregnancy, lead can increase the risk of miscarriage and cause babies to be born too early, too small, or with learning or behavior problems.
Children, pregnant people and adults can be exposed to lead during renovation projects. Learn how to stay safe during home renovation projects
Child Care Providers
Under Vermont law, there are specific requirements for all child care facilities built before 1978. Every year, you are required to do Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices – formerly known as Essential Maintenance Practices (EMPs). IRC Practices require an IRC-certified person to do an annual inspection for deteriorated paint, perform a specialized cleaning, and file yearly compliance statements. Learn more about IRC Practices
Under Vermont's Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) regulations, any work done on your child care facility that will disturb painted surfaces needs to be done by someone who is licensed or certified. Learn more about RRPM regulations
Chemicals and other air pollutants can enter the home or child care facility from the natural environment, hobbies, household cleaning and personal care products, and even from bacteria, pet dander, dust mites or roaches.
Breathing in air pollutants can lead to allergic and asthmatic reactions, infections and other health problems that involve the lungs, nose and throat. Babies and young children may be especially sensitive, in part because their organs and immune systems are not fully developed.
Learn more about indoor air quality
Here is information about how to create a healthy indoor air environment in your home or child care facility:
Children spend a significant amount of time at school, which is why it is important to maintain a healthy school environment, both inside and outside the school. Vermont offers programs and resources to help keep our schools safe and healthy.
Learn more about school environmental health
Learn more about school health
Children’s products—such as toys, furniture, cosmetics, teethers and feeding bottles—may contain many chemicals. Parents, caregivers and child care providers are encouraged to learn more about the chemicals that are in these products.
The State of Vermont requires manufacturers to report information about their use of chemicals in children’s products designated by the State as Chemicals of High Concern to Children.
Being aware of water conditions and adopting safe practices with your children while in and around recreational waters is very important. Whether boating, swimming or just splashing around, unintentional drowning can occur.
Vermont’s lakes, ponds, streams and rivers may contain bacteria that can make you sick. Children tend to spend more time in the water than adults. They are also more likely to accidentally swallow water when swimming and, for these reasons, they are more likely than adults to get sick. However, babies, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk of becoming seriously ill.
Learn more about swim water testing
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are naturally found in fresh water in the U.S. and in Lake Champlain and other Vermont waters. Some types of cyanobacteria can release natural toxins or poisons (called cyanotoxins) into the water, especially when they die and break down.
Swimming or wading in water with cyanobacteria may cause minor skin rashes, sore throats, diarrhea, stomach problems, or more serious health problems. Children are more at risk of getting sick since they are more likely to swallow water when swimming and playing than adults.
Asbestos is a fiber that has been used in building materials for insulation and as a fire retardant. If these materials are disturbed or damaged in any way—such as when renovating or demolishing a building—asbestos fibers can be released into the air and breathed in. Exposure to asbestos fibers increases the risk of developing health effects—such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Parents, Caregivers and Expecting Parents
You should assume that asbestos-containing materials are in your home. They are not dangerous unless they are damaged or disturbed in a way that creates dust. Use caution when doing home renovation projects. Learn how to stay safe during home renovation projects
Child Care Providers
Child care providers seeking licensure are required to hire a Vermont-certified Asbestos Inspector Contractor to conduct a site inspection for asbestos-containing materials. All asbestos-containing materials must be removed and disposed of before any renovation or demolition.
If you have a child care facility in a school, find out about what you need to do under the Asbestos Hazardous Emergency Response Act (AHERA).
more resources
- Learn more about your health during pregnancy
- Learn more about the health of infants and young children