WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released a user-friendly document to help risk assessors understand how children are exposed to pollution. The document, titled 'Highlights of the Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook,' serves as a quick-reference guide to the more comprehensive 'Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook,' published by EPA in 2008. It will serve as an additional resource for those who work on children’s health issues, which the agency has been highlighting during Children’s Health Month.

Orlando, FL -- Legionnaires' disease (the most severe form of Legionellosis) is a form of pneumonia that is caused by inhalation or aspiration of bacteria that belong to the family Legionellaceae. This family includes 48 species and 70 serogroups. Legionellosis is most commonly linked to exposure to Legionella pneumophila, however, other species (e.g. L. micdadei, L. anisa) can cause the disease as well. An outbreak of serious pulmonary infections among people attending a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia during the US Bicentennial celebration in July 1976 prompted the description of Legionnaires disease and its causative organism, Legionella pneumophila.

View Legionella Workshop registration PDF for more information -  IAQA WORKSHOP

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is marking National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week by announcing several actions the agency proposes to take to prevent lead poisoning. Lead poisoning may cause a variety of adverse health effects, including brain and nervous system disorders, high blood pressure, and hypertension. Children six years old and under are most at risk.
 
EPA has issued a proposed rule to expand the coverage of the 2008 Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. The new rule proposes to eliminate a provision that exempted some housing from the rule’s requirement that contractors be trained and certified and use lead-safe work practices when renovating, repairing or painting a pre-1978 home.