May 2005
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HealtheHouse Highlights

A DOCTOR’S VIEWPOINT: SUN AND INSECT PROTECTION
Summer is around the corner. Two environmental health threats of great significance today are sun, which can cause skin cancer, especially with early exposure, and biting insects, which carry disease.
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CHECLIST: PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS FOR BABIES AND KIDS
There are so many ingredients in personal care products – even for kids. Use our CHEC List to help you choose the safest products.
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For in-depth information, see

Personal Care Products for Kids

HOW TO KEEP MOSQUITOES FROM BITING
Start mosquito-proofing now, before skeeters become a problem. This list has tips on reducing mosquito breeding grounds as well as information on repellents.
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See Also: Which Insect Repellent is Right for Your Kids?

MAKE YOUR DECK SAFE FOR BBQ SEASON
If your deck is made of pressure treated wood, you should apply a sealant every six months to minimize arsenic exposure. Lean about this and other safety tips to keep your kids safe this summer.
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What's New at CHEC

CHEC WINS EPA AWARD!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded CHEC the Children¹s Environmental Health Recognition Award. The award was granted to organizations committed to raising awareness and stimulating activities about children's environmental health.
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HealtheHouse Headlines*
During the last month, we found the following articles in newspapers and magazines. To access these articles and others, visit our HealtheHouse News page.

• CA Legislature Considers Bill to Ban Chemical from Kids' Products
• Environmental Groups are Praising the EPA for Updating Cancer-risk Guidelines
• Ionizing Air Cleaners Get Zapped by Consumers Union
• Labels on Fish Give Shoppers the Whole Story
• Smoking can Cut 10 Years of Fertile Life from Women
• Indoor Air Quality is a Top Health Risk
• Child's Asthma Linked to Grandmother's Habit
• Study Cites Risk of Compound in Plastic Bottles
• Cosmetics Ingredients Scrutinized
•Food-borne Illnesses Decline Dramatically
•Vaccine Additive Linked to Autism
•Pollution Damages Male Fertility
•Landmark Supreme Court Decision Affirms Right to Sue for Pesticide Harm, Despite Registration with EPA
•CDC Backs 2 DEET-Alternatives to Stave Off West Nile
• Read Additional Headlines

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Did You Know?

Health eHome Quiz
Our Health eHome quiz is a great tool to assess the state of your home. Are you doing all you can to protect your children in their home? Find out by taking the quiz.
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From Our Readers:
Safe Play Sand?
Q. Dear CHEC: Yesterday, I bought a bag of play sand. When I looked at the fine print on the bag, I read: "contains chemicals known to the state of California to produce cancer". How can they be selling this for children!?
-- Patricia C., Los Angeles

A. Patricia: It’s true that some kinds of play sand can potentially contain two carcinogens: asbestiform tremolite and/or crystalline silica. The State of California requires manufacturers to use a warning label if there is a a product contains carcinogens. Unfortunately, this has meant that a number of companies use this warning to avoid lawsuits – instead of identifying potential carcinogens and eliminating them from the product. But, don’t worry, safe play sand can be found.

Learn more at:
Safe Play Sand

Send your comments and suggestions to
healthenews@checnet.org

Copyright ©2005 CHEC Health eNews, Children's Health Environmental Coalition Health eNews

Thank you for your interest in these issues.

Health eNews is a free monthly publication offered by CHEC. Event dates are subject to change. Some products, programs, or promotions may not be available outside of the United States of America.

*HealtheHouse Headlines compiled by Environmental Health News.

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