American Academy of Pediatrics - Protecting Your Childs Health

Available From the American Academy of Pediatrics

Achieving a Healthy Weight for Your Child: An Action Plan for Families

ADHD: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Baby and Toddler Basics: Expert Answers to Parents Top 150 Questions

Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids Roots and Wings

Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5

Caring for Your School-Age Child: Ages 512

Co-parenting Through Separation and Divorce: Putting Your Children First

Family Fit Plan: A 30-Day Wellness Transformation

Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality

My Child Is Sick! Expert Advice for Managing Common Illnesses and Injuries

New Mothers Guide to Breastfeeding

The New Baby Blueprint: Caring for You and Your Little One

Parenting Through Puberty: Mood Swings, Acne, and Growing Pains

The Picky Eater Project: 6 Weeks to Happier, Healthier Family Mealtimes

Raising an Organized Child: 5 Steps to Boost Independence, Ease Frustration, and Promote Confidence

Raising Kids to Thrive: Balancing Love With Expectations and Protection With Trust

Retro Baby: Cut Back on All the Gear and Boost Your Babys Development With More Than 100 Time-tested Activities

Retro Toddler: More Than 100 Old-School Activities to Boost Development

For additional parenting resources, visit the HealthyChildren bookstore at
https://shop.aap.org/for-parents.

This book is also available in Spanish.

American Academy of Pediatrics Publishing Staff

Mary Lou White, Chief Product and Services Officer/SVP, Membership, Marketing, and Publishing

Mark Grimes, Vice President, Publishing

Holly Kaminski, Editor, Consumer Publishing

Shannan Martin, Production Manager, Consumer Publications

Amanda Helmholz, Medical Copy Editor

Peg Mulcahy, Manager, Art Direction and Production

Sara Hoerdeman, Marketing Manager, Consumer Products

Published by the American Academy of Pediatrics

345 Park Blvd

Itasca, IL 60143

Telephone: 630/626-6000

Facsimile: 847/434-8000

www.aap.org

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Statements and opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Any websites, brand names, products, or manufacturers are mentioned for informational and identification purposes only and do not imply an endorsement by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP is not responsible for the content of external resources. Information was current at the time of publication.

The persons whose photographs are depicted in this publication are professional models. They have no relation to the issues discussed. Any characters they are portraying are fictional.

The publishers have made every effort to trace the copyright holders for borrowed materials. If they have inadvertently overlooked any, they will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements at the first opportunity.

This publication has been developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The contributors are expert authorities in the field of pediatrics. No commercial involvement of any kind has been solicited or accepted in the development of the content of this publication. Disclosures: All contributors discussed no relevant financial relationships.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the drug selection and dosages set forth in this publication are in accordance with the current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. It is the responsibility of the health care professional to check the package insert of each drug for any change in indications or dosage and for added warnings and precautions.

Every effort is made to keep Protecting Your Childs Health: Expert Answers to Urgent Environmental Questions consistent with the most recent advice and information available from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Special discounts are available for bulk purchases of this publication. Email Special Sales at for more information.

2021 American Academy of Pediatrics

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout prior permission from the publisher (locate title at ). First edition published 2021.

Printed in the United States of America

9-453/0920 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

CB0121

ISBN: 978-1-61002-437-2

eBook: 978-1-61002-438-9

EPUB: 978-1-61002-439-6

Mobi: 978-1-61002-440-2

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020937623

What People Are Saying About Protecting Your Childs Health

The first-time parent faces a bewildering array of products and recommendations. In Protecting Your Childs Health, Drs Etzel and Balk cut through the thicket of research and received wisdom to provide parents with informed analysis and practical advice. This is the only baby book you will ever need to understand how to best protect your child from environmental hazards.

Stephanie M. Chalupka, EdD, RN, PHCNS-BC, professor and director, master of science in nursing program, Worcester State University

Exactly the type of information parents need to know. Finally, a book with clear and actionable information for parents. The Q&A format makes it easy for parents to get real answers. Sound science, practical and precautionary advice, and a healthy dose of heart. Parents have deserved this for a long time; this book is a tool for parental empowerment.

Patricia Butterfield, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, and dean emerita of nursing, Washington State University

There has never been a more appropriate time for the release of this important work focused on protecting the health of our children. Ruth Etzel has always been and continues to be the voice of the millions of children on our planet who need the protections described in this work.

Linda McCauley, RN, PhD, FAAN, dean and professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University

Dr Etzel has been a quiet warrior and fierce advocate for the protection of childrens health for decades. Her amazing new book equips parents with critical tools to combat the myriad of environmental health threats that families, often unknowingly, face every day. By using the information provided, parents will be far more empowered to help ensure better health outcomes and lifelong opportunities for their children.

Ruth Ann Norton, president and CEO, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative

Its so refreshing to have a down-to-earth pediatrician give practical advice to help parents understand the environmental risks their families face. I thank my lucky stars that Dr Etzel, through this book and her lifetime of work, empowers parents like me to advocate for our kids health. Its groundbreaking to have a pediatrician encourage parents to raise their voices to confront transportation challenges, climate change, and the prospect of oil and gas wells in their neighborhoods.