<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META NAME="Generator" CONTENT="MS Exchange Server version 6.0.6619.9">
<TITLE>Father’s Day Report notes greater environmental risks to boys; urges precaution and increased awareness</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
<!-- Converted from text/rtf format -->
<P><A HREF="http://www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca/english/news/index.shtml?x=3257"><U></U><U><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Times New Roman">http://www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca/english/news/index.shtml?x=3257</FONT></U></A>
</P>
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Jun 15 2007</FONT>
<BR><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Father’s Day Report notes greater environmental risks to boys; urges precaution and increased awareness</FONT>
<BR><B><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Ottawa and Toronto:</FONT></B><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"> In a report released for Father’s Day, the Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment urges greater awareness among parents, especially fathers, about environmental risks to boys. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">“All children are at risk from exposure to environmental hazards, but boys appear to be at greater risk,” said Dr. Lynn Marshall, with the Ontario College of Family Physicians.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">The report summarizes the evidence about environmental risks to boys. “For health outcomes such as asthma, cancer, learning and behavioural problems and birth defects, the boys are faring worse than the girls,” noted Loren Vanderlinden, with Toronto Public Health. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">We know that the time of greatest vulnerability for children is in the womb. It appears that boys are even more vulnerable than girls during these critical developmental stages. Brain development in boys is of particular concern. “Four times more boys than girls are affected by autism and ADHD. Boys are also at increased risk for learning disabilities, Tourette’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and dyslexia,” noted Kathleen Cooper, with the Canadian Environmental Law Association. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">The report summarizes what is known about environmental links to health outcomes in children, noting the many areas of uncertainty. Given the risks of lifelong impacts, it is better to be safe than sorry. Like CPCHE’s other educational materials, the CPCHE Father’s Day report seeks to raise public awareness. Fathers and all members of society can take action to reduce or prevent environmental or occupational exposures that can affect a fetus or child. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">The full 16 page report is at the link below:</FONT>
<BR><A HREF="http://www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca/img_upload/13297cd6a147585a24c1c6233d8d96d8/father__s_day_report.pdf"><U><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Times New Roman">http://www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca/img_upload/13297cd6a147585a24c1c6233d8d96d8/father__s_day_report.pdf</FONT></U></A>
</P>
<BR>
<P><FONT COLOR="#000080" SIZE=2 FACE="Times New Roman">Deborah L. DeBiasi</FONT>
<BR><B><FONT COLOR="#000080" SIZE=2 FACE="Times New Roman">Email: dldebiasi@deq.virginia.gov</FONT></B>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#000080" SIZE=2 FACE="Times New Roman">WEB site address: </FONT><A HREF="file://www.deq.virginia.gov"><U></U><U><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Times New Roman">www.deq.virginia.gov</FONT></U></A>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#000080" SIZE=2 FACE="Times New Roman">Virginia Department of Environmental Quality</FONT>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#000080" SIZE=2 FACE="Times New Roman">Office of Water Permit Programs</FONT>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#000080" SIZE=2 FACE="Times New Roman">Industrial Pretreatment/Toxics Management Program</FONT>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#000080" SIZE=2 FACE="Times New Roman">Mail: P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218</FONT><B><I> <FONT COLOR="#FF0000" SIZE=2 FACE="Times New Roman">(NEW!)</FONT></I></B>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#000080" SIZE=2 FACE="Times New Roman">Location: 629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219</FONT>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#000080" SIZE=2 FACE="Times New Roman">PH: 804-698-4028</FONT>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#000080" SIZE=2 FACE="Times New Roman">FAX: 804-698-4032</FONT>
</P>
</BODY>
</HTML>