Protecting the Vulnerable : Addressing Radon Exposure in Child Care Settings
By Tehani Chandrasena Perera , Marketing , Communications and Design Intern at Children ' s Environmental Health Network ( CEHN ) 08 / 19 / 2024
The Invisible Threat : Radon and its Impact on Children
Radon is particularly dangerous for young children , whose developing lungs are more susceptible to the harmful effects of radiation . Children ’ s lungs are smaller and their respiratory rates are higher than adults ,. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry suggests that children exposed to the same levels for the same duration , may absorb twice as much radon as an adult . They ’ re also likely to have higher rates of exposure- spending up to 70 % more time indoors than adults . Despite these risks , radon awareness and action to protect kids ’ health remains too low . The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates 1 in 5 US schools has at least one classroom with hazardous radon levels . The dangers to children in child care , who are younger , more vulnerable , and spend a larger proportion of time in this setting , are largely unmonitored . Environmental health protections for kids in home and center-based child care vary by state and often don ’ t adequately address radon .
Disproportionate Risks for Marginalized Communities
In many areas of the country , racist housing policies such as redlining and segregation have confined people of color to certain neighborhoods , profoundly affecting the health and safety of communities . Children from marginalized communities are at higher risk of radon exposure due to several factors :
● Built environment : Structural racism has led to the disparate impact of poor quality housing stock being located in or near neighborhoods with high concentrations of Black and Indigenous people , immigrants , other people of color , and low-wealth populations .
● Limited Resources : Segregation caused by these policies not only makes it challenging for people to move to safer , more desirable neighborhoods but also systematically drains resources from urban-center communities of color through disinvestment . This reduction in the tax base means less funding for public services , contributing to deteriorating infrastructure and unhealthy schools .
● Home-Based Child Care : Home-based child care is the most common form of nonparental child care , and is especially common in communities of color , immigrant communities , and low-wealth areas . Children living in houses in historically disadvantaged communities with high radon occurrence may also attend a home-based child care in a nearby home with a similar setting , prolonging their exposure to radon .
● Environmental Justice : Addressing radon exposure in marginalized communities is an issue of environmental justice , ensuring every child has the right to a healthy environment .
CEHN ’ s Eco-Healthy Child CareR ( EHCC ) Program : A Comprehensive Approach
The Children ’ s Environmental Health Network is working to enact systems transformation to protect the environmental health of children in child care through its Eco-Healthy Child Care ®