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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.