Out of Harm’s Way Conference Resources

Overview: Neurological Development and the Environment

The core curriculum of the conference was based on a peer-reviewed scientific study published by the Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility. Click here to view and download the report.

• In Harm’s Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development (pdf)

  (Presentation by Ted Schettler, MD, MPH, Science and Environmental Health Network)
  This presentation addresses the scope of the problem regarding learning and behavioral disabilities, traits vs. syndromes, and problems in testing. It provides a brief overview of heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, solvents, and industrial chemicals. The basic toxicology of the chemicals is reviewed, as well as routes of exposure and trends in the threshold of harm.

• Environmental Issues for the Newborn (pdf)
  (Presentation by Leo Trasande, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine)
  This presentation provides an overview of environmental issues for the newborn child including food and mold.

Emerging Issues in Neurodevelopmental Harm

The following presentations outline three current topics of concern in children’s environmental health.

• Organophosphate Pesticides (pdf)
  (presentation by: Virginia Rauh, ScD, MSW, Mailman School of Public Health)


• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (pdf)
  (presentation by: Joseph Jacobson, PhD, Wayne State University)


• Toxic Exposures in Children with Developmental Disabilities (pdf)
  (presentation by: Carolyn Graff, PhD, RN, University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Environmental History Taking and Resources for Physicians

It is important for pediatricians to address environmental exposures that can impact a child’s health and quality of life. Current medical education does not emphasize environmental health, and therefore, many physicians are not adequately knowledgeable about prevention, treatment, and management of environment-related diseases. Several distinguished organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics have endorsed the use of the “Environmental History” during routine patient visits in order to determine toxicants that may be present in a child’s environment and advise patients and families about preventative measures and treatment options. The following resources provide basic information about the Environmental History.

• Introduction to the Pediatric Environmental History (pdf)
  (presentation by: Leo Trasande, MD, Center for Children’s Health and the Environment)
  The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) initiated a Pediatric Environmental History Initiative to "make environmental history-taking a routine practice for health care providers." The NEEF Web site provides an environmental history primer, form, and additional resources.


• Primer for the Clinician
  (Excerpted from: Generations at Risk: Reproductive Health and the Environment, a book by Ted Schettler, MD, MPH; Gina Solomon, MD, MPH; Maria Valenti; Annette Huddle)


• Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet (pdf)
  (Published by: Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility)

Special Concerns of the Developmental Disabilities Community

These presentations address the vulnerabilities of individuals with developmental disabilities with regard to toxic environmental exposures.

• Special Concerns of the Developmental Disabilities Community (pdf)
  (Presentation by: Pat Thornburg, PhD, RN, Allison Del Bene Davis, MS, RN, and Carolyn Graff, PhD, RN)
  This presentation will focus on the unique physical, social and economic characteristics of the developmentally disabled that increase risk for health disparities and poor health outcomes from exposures to environmental toxicants in the home, community and workplace.


• Environmental Factors and Developmental Abnormalities (pdf)
  (Presentation by: Leo Trasande, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine)
  This presentation addresses the increase in developmental disabilities and the need to prevent environmental exposures that contribute to these disorders.

Ubiquitous Contaminants in Michigan

These presentations and resources will explore the implications of neurodevelopmental threats posed by ubiquitous contaminants in Michigan including mercury, lead, pesticides, and dioxin.

• Health Effects of Mercury (pdf)
  (Presentation by: Ted Schettler, MD, MPH, Science and Environmental Health Network)


• Dioxin: Toxicity and Health Effects (pdf)
  (Presentation by: Susanne White, MD, Detroit Medical Center-Wayne State University)


• Food, Farming and Gardening Guidelines for Minimizing Dioxin Exposure (pdf)
  (Prepared by: Michigan Department of Agriculture)


• Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Statewide Lead Testing/Lead Screening Plan (pdf)

Michigan Department of Community Health 2004 Childhood Lead Exposure Data

• All County Data for Children Less Than 6 years Old (pdf)


• Lead Target Population Data (pdf)


• Data about One and Two Year Olds (pdf)


• MDCH Lead Testing Information Part 1 Part 2 (pdf)

Pesticides and Kids

• Pesticides and Integrated Pest Management (pdf)
  (Presentation by: Tess Karwoski, RN, Michigan Environmental Council)


• Health Effects of 48 Commonly Used Toxic Pesticides in Schools (pdf)
  (Fact sheet created by: Beyond Pesticides)


• Asthma Triggers, Lead, and Pesticides (pdf)
  (Presentation by: Kenneth Rosenman, MD, Michigan State University)

Food, Fish, and Nutrition

The following presentations and resources highlight healthy fish consumption and the complex interaction between nutritional status and toxic exposures.

• Michigan's 2004 Fish Consumption Advisory


• Presentation on Michigan’s Fish Consumption Advisory (pdf)


• Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Fish Consumption
  (Report by Physicians for Social Responsibility)


• Toxic Contaminant Levels in Farmed and Wild-Caught Salmon Species
  (Report by Physicians for Social Responsibility)


• Healthy Fish, Healthy Families (pdf)
  (brochure by Physicians for Social Responsibility)


• Nutrition and Neurodevelopmental Toxicants (pdf)
  (presentation by: Ted Schettler, MD, MPH, Science and Environmental Health Network)

Other Environmental Health Resources

• Primer on Solvents (pdf)
  (Prepared by: Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility)


• Chemical Fact Sheet (pdf)
  (Prepared by: Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility)


• Biological and Environmental Monitoring Brief (pdf)


• Health Care Professionals as Public Health Advocates (pdf)
  (Presentation by: Kathryn Savoie, PhD, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services)


• Public Health Advocacy (pdf)
  (Presentation by: Jeffrey Taylor, PhD, Michigan Public Health Institute)


• Select Environmental Health Journal Abstracts (pdf)


• Learning and Developmental Disability Organizations


• Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit Resource Guide for Clinicians

Environmental Health Education

The Network will engage in environmental health education around the state. Our outreach programs target healthcare professionals, child advocates, and environmentalists. For more information, please contact: