Nurses' role in children's environmental health protection

There is a growing body of evidence regarding the presence of toxic pollutants in the air, water, soil, food, and indoor environments, and the health effects of these pollutants on humans. Children have special vulnerabilities to environmental risks in their homes, schools, and communities. Children's susceptibility to environmental risks stem from biological, behavioral, and socio-economic factors. Environmental standards are not always protective of children's health, and in some instances, no standards exist. Addressing children's vulnerabilities and decreasing their exposures require a multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary approach with clinical, public health, and policy interventions. Preventing exposure to hazardous levels of pollution is largely the role of the public health community, environmental protection agencies, and the policy makers who create the enabling laws. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) (1995) has recommended the integration of environmental health into nursing practice, education, research, and policy/advocacy work. This article identifies areas in each of these categories in which nurses can enhance their practice regarding children's environmental health. In addressing children's environmental health, nurses' expanded roles can include a range of activities, such as anticipatory guidance, health education, public health interface, improved health tracking, environmental health research, and legislative/regulatory engagement.