U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services
ACF
Administration for Children and Families
Information Memorandum
To: Head Start and Early Head Start Grantees and Delegate Agencies
Subject: Partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency
In January 2007, a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Head Start (OHS) was signed. EPA and OHS have agreed to work together to improve the health and well-being of Head Start children by implementing a national outreach campaign, "Care for Their Air." This campaign focuses on raising awareness regarding the effects of secondhand smoke on young children and their families, as well as encouraging Head Start staff and parents to reduce children's exposure to secondhand smoke and other indoor environmental asthma triggers.
Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, several of which are known to cause cancer in humans or animals. More than 50 carcinogens have been identified in secondhand smoke. Some of these toxic agents include: benzene, chromium, formaldehyde, cyanide and carbon monoxide. There is a growing body of scientific evidence on the hazards of exposing children to secondhand smoke, which is also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Because their respiratory, immune and nervous systems are still developing, children are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of ETS.
Almost all of a child's exposure to ETS can be attributed to parental smoking whether in the home or in the car. The Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) 2000 Family and Child Experiences Survey showed that almost half (45.1%) of Head Start children lived in households where at least one person smoked cigarettes. According to the 2004 Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project, 57% of Early Head Start children were exposed to household smoking. These children had a higher rate of asthma or respiratory problems (31%) when compared to children who were not exposed to household smoking (24%). Furthermore, children exposed to household smoking were more likely than those who were not exposed to have ear infections (55% vs. 47%).
In 2006, the U.S. Surgeon General's Report "The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke" was issued. This report revisited the 1986 publication titled "The Health Consequences of Involuntary Smoking" investigating the science, prevalence, and effects of secondhand smoke. The finding most relevant to the Head Start community is that children exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk for:
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Acute respiratory infections
- Ear problems
- More severe asthma
Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease that affects lung function, is the most common chronic childhood disease nationwide, impacting the lives and families of 6.3 million children. Asthma is life-threatening if not controlled. It is not known what causes the onset of asthma or how to cure it. What is known is that preschool-aged children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at a greater risk for developing asthma. In addition, with the help of asthma medication and reducing or avoiding asthma triggers, attacks can be controlled. Asthma triggers include:
- Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) or Secondhand smoke
- Dust mites
- Cockroaches
- Pet dander
- Molds
- Nitrogen Dioxide ' a gas from appliances that burn fuels such as kerosene. High levels can trigger asthma if not properly vented with an exhaust fan or by opening a window.
- Certain medications, inclement weather (e.g., thunderstorms, high humidity, freezing temperatures), some foods or food additives, and, for vulnerable people, certain forms of exercise.