Grants and Fellowships | 2014

37 Small Research Grants Assessment of Young Children's Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Especially Neurotoxins, in Pre-Schools, Kindergartens and Homes in Northern Israel Debby Mir 1 Yoram Finkelstein 2 Igal Bar-Ilan 1 Elyakim Doitsch 3 1. Migal - Galilee Technology Center 2. Shaare Zedek Medical Center 3. Department of Education, Psychological Services, Hof Ashkelon Regional Council 2012 Environmental Health Policy: Inter-Agency Aspects at the Government Level In the government sphere, environmental health policy is inter-sectoral: the responsibilities are typically divided between the health agency and the environment agency. However, most of the decisions that impact environmental health are taken in agencies that are in charge of production, development and infrastructure. This study maps interagency dynamics concerning environmental health policy in the US as compared to Israel, and identifies the policy implications of different modes of collaboration. The mapping of mechanisms for interagency environmental health collaborations revealed a set of institutional, policy, research, and informal mechanisms. Following the mapping, two case studies of inter- sectoral collaboration in Israel were selected: regulation of pesticides in agriculture and the Clean Air Law. The mechanisms revealed were analyzed for strengths and weaknesses in both case studies. The study includes a set of recommendations for advancing environmental health policy in Israel. Maya Negev 1 1. Tel Aviv University 2012-2014 The pilot study assessed potential exposure to hazardous chemicals in rural and urban preschools and kindergartens in Israel. Eight facilities were inspected, tested for chemical residues, staff interviewed and parents surveyed. Pesticide was applied routinely in most facilities by licensed professionals or stored and applied illegally by facility staff. Children were exposed to herbicide Glyphosate (Roundup) and mosquito treatments. Indoor pesticide residues included developmental toxicants, suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals and possible, likely and probable human carcinogens - all detected at very low concentrations. This could reflect heavy rains, gap since last pesticide application and delays in analyzing samples. Facility staff was mostly unaware of potential chemical hazards, guidelines for managing cleaning and disinfectant chemicals, or measures to reduce pest incidence. There are significant differences in building structure, chemical use and management between the US and Israel, and potential pesticides and chemical exposures. The study informed a larger survey and pilot intervention programs to reduce children's exposures in Israeli kindergartens and schools.