Environmental Health
Scientific research has demonstrated a link between exposure to environmental toxins and the onset of cognitive disabilities such as learning disabilities, autism, ADHD and others. In an effort to raise awareness on the link between exposure to environmental toxins and learning disabilities and to advocate for policy changes that will reduce or eliminate toxic chemicals from our environment LDANYS is engaged in several environmental health initiatives:
Children’s Environmental Health on Long Island
LDANYS is pleased to see the opening of the latest Children’s Environmental Health Center of Excellence. The latest center is located in Huntington, Long Island and is operated by the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center, at the North Shore Medical Group. LDANYS, as part of its prevention initiatives, has long supported state funding for these centers, and we are pleased to see them now coming to fruition.
Many times parents are concerned about the potential impact of an environmental or chemical exposure on their child, but they find few resources available with true expertise on evaluating, and if necessary, treating the child. Unfortunately, there is increasing concern about the potential health impacts of certain chemicals in the environment and even in everyday children’s products. Emerging scientific research indicates that a number of substances in the environment can cause or contribute to learning and developmental disabilities. Staffed by physicians who are expert in pediatric environmental exposures, The Children’s Environmental Health Center of Excellence offers parents, physicians, and others in the community a valuable resource where they can get state-of-the-art information regarding the health risks of various chemicals and environmental hazards. They also offer clinical services, where children can be seen by the expert physicians, evaluated, and if necessary, treated for an environmental exposure.
Partnering with our friends at the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, LDANYS is working to provide information to our members and the general community regarding the centers, and regarding common environmental health risks. We will be on Long Island regularly to meet with members, other parents and community leaders to let them know about the center and its mission.
Special thanks is due to State Senator Carl Marcellino, who secured the funding for this center. To contact the center, call 1-866-265-6201
Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative
The Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative (LDDI) is a national working group of the Collaborative on Health and the Environment (www.healthandenvironment.org). The primary mission of LDDI is to foster collaboration among learning and developmental disability organizations, researchers, health professionals and environmental health and justice groups to address concerns about the impact environmental pollutants may have on healthy brain development. LDDI currently has over 375 organizational and individual members engaged in research, educational and policy efforts.
Scientific Consensus Statement on Environmental Agents Associated with Developmental Disorders (PDF)
Healthy Children Project
The Healthy Children Project is a program of the LDA of America. LDANYS is a state project site of HCP.
JustGreen Partnership
The JustGreen Partnership is a statewide collaboration that has been formed to advocate for the reduction and elimination of toxins in our environment. The JustGreen Partnership is comprised of a variety of organizations including environmental, disability, health-affected, labor, environmental justice, health, community, faith-based, and other groups working together for a future in which our children are not exposed to toxic chemicals.
Environmental Health and Prevention Links
The Healthy Children Project, Learning Disabilities Association of America: www.healthychildrenproject.org
The Collaborative on Health and the Environment: www.healthandenvironment.org
Institute for Children's Environmental Health: www.iceh.org
Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative: www.iceh.org/LDDI
Prevention is the Cure: www.preventionisthecure.org
Just Green Partnership: www.just-green.org
Safer States: www.saferstates.com
Clean New York: www.clean-ny.org