Human Health Background Information
see also Human Health Curriculum
Resources
A Citizen's
Guide to Radon
The complete guide to taking action to lower the radon level in your home. It
offers strategies for testing and discussions of what steps to take after you
have tested, discussions of the risk of radon and radon myths.
epa.gov/iaq/radon/pubs/citguide.html
Air Defenders - the Quest
for Clean Air 
Learn how burning garbage in the open air causes pollution and
health problems. This site is aimed at students 10 and up. It presents
alternatives to open burning (recycle, trash dump, reuse, compost).
Students earn their Air Defender badge while pursuing their quest to
clean the air and protect community health.
www.airdefenders.org
AIRNOW
Get up-to-the-minute information about air pollution in your community. Includes
maps, forecasts, and information about the health effects of air pollution.
epa.gov/airnow
Air Quality Status
and Trends
This brochure highlights the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's most recent
evaluation of status and trends in our nation's air quality. The most recent
report dates from 2002. epa.gov/air/airtrends/
Asthma
Asthma and upper respiratory illnesses information from EPA's Office of Children's
Health Protection.
epa.gov/iaq/asthma/
Children's Health
In-depth information from EPA's Office of Children's Health
Protection about protecting kids from all sorts of environmental hazards.
epa.gov/children
Easy Breathers
Pollution emissions from transportation are a major ingredient in global warming,
stratospheric ozone depletion, asthma, ground-level ozone (a.k.a., smog)
formation and other problems. We're responsible for these emissions. The
way we choose to get around today impacts our world tomorrow - the land,
the water, and the air. A group of high school students, teachers, and a
professional video crew got together to produce this site. So check it out,
already!
http://www.easybreathers.org/
Ground-Water
Primer
This computer program presents the basic concepts of ground
water, the contaminants that can affect water quality along with the
risks they pose, activities that an individual or community can do
to help protect and conserve ground water, and programs that are now
in place to help protect ground water.
epa.gov/seahome/groundwater/src/ground.htm
Indoor Air
Quality Tools for Schools
This fact sheet provides information on indoor air quality in school buildings
and how to order the Tools for Schools Action Kit. The kit shows how to carry
out a practical plan of action to improve indoor air quality at little or no
cost using common-sense activities and in-house staff.
epa.gov/iaq/schools/index.html
The Inside
Story
This brochure provides basic facts about pollutants found inside our buildings
and homes and helps you decide what actions to take to reduce the level of
indoor air pollution.
epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html
Journey to Planet
Earth
A PBS educational program that explores the fragile relationship between people
and the world we inhabit. Includes videos, teaching guides and internet resource
links.
www.pbs.org/journeytoplanetearth/
Lead Information
Page
Find information from the National Lead Information Center and pamphlets featuring
general information about lead hazards and lead poisoning prevention in the
home.
Learn About Chemicals
Around Your House
What do you know about the many household products used around your home? Join
a house tour to learn more about the chemicals around your home.
epa.gov/kidshometour/
Mercury in Schools
You'll find a clearinghouse for information on where mercury can be found in
schools, mercury elimination and spill incident case studies, and educational
materials on mercury and overall pollution prevention for teachers, students
and school administrators. From US EPA and the University of Wisconsin.
www.mercuryinschools.uwex.edu/
Mercury
Information about mercury, its health effects, studies, and what you can do.
epa.gov/mercury/
Ozone: Good
Up High, Bad Nearby
Ozone acts as a protective layer high above the Earth, but it can be harmful
to breathe. This publication provides basic information about ground-level
and high-altitude ozone.
epa.gov/oar/oaqps/gooduphigh/
Radiation Protection
Students/Teachers Page
Learn about the basic concepts of radiation and radiation protection: what
it is, what it does, where to find it, and more!
epa.gov/radiation/students/
Sunwise Schools Program
SunWise Partner Schools sponsor classroom and school-wide activities that raise
children's awareness of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and
simple sun safety practices. For grades K-8. The SunWise
Toolkit is free to registered schools.
epa.gov/sunwise/
Water on
Tap: What You Need to Know
Where does your drinking water come from? How is it treated? How do you protect
it? This is the place to get the answers to these and other drinking-water
questions.
epa.gov/safewater/wot/
The Ultraviolet
Index
Several publications explaining the Ultraviolet Index and steps
you can take to minimize the risks from overexposure to the sun's rays.
Each is available for reading online and downloading.
epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html
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