91% of the world’s population breathes polluted air! Yet over one-third of countries have no laws protecting outdoor air quality! The World Health Organization (WHO) released updated air quality guidelines and targets for common air pollutants. WHO’s new guidelines aim to push governments to reduce pollution levels, protect the health of children and adults, and prevent climate change.
Little Things Matter raises awareness of the growing environmental risks we face as a global community by translating science into free, easy-to-understand and actionable materials. Our goal is to spread awareness about the effects of toxic chemicals on the health of our population and planet.
We believe that every child has the right to a healthy environment.
New Science ❗️
Researchers from Tulane University, the University of Southern California, and Kaiser Permanente of Southern California found that wildfire smoke exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy was associated with a 23% increase in autism rates.
The effect was strongest when families were exposed to smoky conditions for 10 or more days. Notably, wildfire smoke was a stronger predictor than overall air quality alone.
If you can see or smell wildfire smoke, stay indoors with windows closed and use a HEPA air cleaner if possible.
Women in the third trimester are especially vulnerable because this is when a baby’s brain is developing rapidly.
“Both autism and wildfires are on the rise, and this study is just the beginning of investigating links between the two,” said lead author David Luglio, a post-graduate fellow with Tulane University’s Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
🔗 Learn more about wildfire and autism: https://bit.ly/4bDYtLu
🌱 Learn more about how air pollution affects children’s health:
https://littlethingsmatter.ca/little-facts/
#NewScience #WildfireSmoke #PregnancyHealth #MaternalHealth #ChildrensHealth #CleanAir #EnvironmentalHealth #ProtectOurKids #ClimateAndHealth
📰 In the News 📰
A recent article in Futurity highlights the effectiveness of DIY air filters made by students at @brownu . The air filters cost around $100 to construct and reduce the spread of Covid-19, and indoor pollutants, including PFAS and phthalates. The only materials required are MERV-13 filters, duct tape, a 20-inch box fan, and a cardboard box.
Joseph Braun, associate professor of epidemiology, at Brown says, “We found that relatively inexpensive, easy-to-construct air filters reduce indoor air concentrations of chemical pollutants. This highly-accessible public health intervention can empower community groups to take steps to improve their air quality and their health.”
#nontoxicliving 🌳
#healthyschools 🍎
#FridaysForFuture
One in six deaths worldwide are due to pollution and toxic chemicals.
Environmental pollution is the single largest cause of disease and death in low- and middle-income countries.
Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/3G1IoNU and study here: https://bit.ly/3Mpwj7u
The Commission comprises many of the world’s most influential leaders, researchers and practitioners in the fields of pollution management, environmental health and sustainable development.
💫 #LittleChangesBigImpact 💫
Strategic tree plantings reduce air pollution at playgrounds near busy roadways. Barbara Maher Professor of Environmental Magnetism at @lancasteruni found that these “tredges” – trees that act as hedges – trap black carbon and particles.
The scientists analyzed three types of green infrastructure along with a control:
- Ivy screen
- Western red cedar
- Western red cedar/Swedish birch with an inner juniper hedge
- No planting (control)
All three types of “tredges” reduced particulate matter. The western red cedar tredge led to the largest reductions in PM 2.5 (46%), PM 10 (26%), and black carbon (49%). The ivy screen was also helpful in reducing PMs.
Read the study here: https://bit.ly/3fd4svB And, mark this as a “w” for “tredges.” 🤝
Help green our schools by:
- Sharing this post 📲
- Talking with friends and family about using trees to reduce air pollution 🗨️
- Writing your local school board ✍️
- Joining a tree planting organization 🌳
#airpollution
#greenschools
#fridaysforfuture
#childhealth
Photo credit: Johnny Cohen
🌡️ Heat and Pollution Divide L.A. Neighborhoods🌿
Did you know some neighborhoods in L.A. can be up to 10°F hotter than others? The difference comes down to tree cover and pollution. Communities of color in areas like South L.A. face harsher conditions due to less greenery and more asphalt, which trap heat and pollutants.
This leads to higher risks of respiratory illnesses, heatstroke, and more. 😓
The key factor? Race, not income.
But there`s hope! USC’s Urban Trees Initiative is working to plant trees in these heat-stricken areas, cooling streets and cleaning the air. 🌳 Let’s push for environmental justice so everyone can live in a healthier, greener environment.
Want to read more? Check out the full article: https://bit.ly/434iwyh 📖
#EnvironmentalJustice #UrbanHeatIslands #LACommunity #ClimateAction #PlantMoreTrees #HealthEquity #ClimateChange
Can replacing old furniture lower levels of toxic chemicals in house dust?
💫 #LittleChangesBigImpact 💫
PBDEs, or flame retardants, used to prevent fires, can be found in foam in older upholstered furniture, and can settle into household dust. Dust is a major source of exposure for infants and toddlers, who are constantly crawling on the floor.
Since 2013, flame retardant free furniture has been available for purchase. A new study showed that simply replacing an old couch, or even just swapping the foam in furniture with a flame retardant free option, can decrease the levels of PBDEs in household dust!
#LittleChangesBigImpact
Read the full study here: https://bit.ly/3vjDZBT
#householddust #healthyliving #PBDE #FoodForThought #FridayForFuture 🙌
@johnhopkinsehe
@who
@cdcglobal
@ameracapeds
⭐ Recent Research ⭐
A recent study investigated ways to assess the health risks of hormone-disrupting chemicals (#PFAS) in the environment. The study found that women are particularly at risk of decreased levels of #thyroid hormones related to PFAS-contaminated drinking water.
This is especially important in #pregnant women when the fetus is dependent on the mother for thyroid hormones. Lack of thyroid in #gestation can lead to impaired #brain development.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/3OOL2tG
Nalleli Cobo led a coalition to permanently shut down a toxic oil-drilling site in her community in March 2020, at the age of 19—an oil site that caused serious health issues for her and others. Her continued organizing against urban oil extraction has now yielded major policy movement within both the Los Angeles City Council and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, which voted unanimously to ban new oil exploration and phase out of existing sites.
Together with her mother, Nalleli began walking door-to-door in 2011, distributing fliers about the dangers of oil extraction and documenting the rampant illnesses in the community caused by oil pollution. She mobilized her neighbors to report the foul chemical smells to officials and share their own stories at town halls and city council meetings. Her organizing resulted in the formation of People not Pozos, for which she became the spokesperson—despite being the group’s youngest member. As the community’s voice against oil pollution, she began speaking publicly at community events and rallies, testified at government meetings, and garnered press coverage and support from elected officials. Courtesy of the Goldman Prize
Nalleli Cobo led a coalition to permanently shut down a toxic oil-drilling site in her community in March 2020, at the age of 19—an oil site that caused serious health issues for her and others. Her continued organizing against urban oil extraction has now yielded major policy movement within both the Los Angeles City Council and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, which voted unanimously to ban new oil exploration and phase out of existing sites. Read more…
Courtesy: Goldman Environmental Prize
Sometimes the events that alter history and have enduring impact happen behind the scenes or without much fanfare. Little Steps, Big Impact takes a moment to highlight those significant events and celebrate their contributions.
Sometimes the events that alter history and have enduring impact happen behind the scenes or without much fanfare. Little Steps, Big Impact takes a moment to highlight those significant events and celebrate their contributions.
A new study shows that young women who use conventional foundation, blush, and mascara have higher levels of phthalates in their blood. Phthalates are hormone-disruptors, and can mimic or block hormones from properly signaling in the body, disrupting important reproductive and neurological systems.
When the young women in the study stopped using products with phthalates, the level of some chemicals in their blood lowered up to 45% after three days. To reduce the amount of phthalates in your blood, swap personal care products for those without phthalates, parabens, or PFAS (or just stop using them). Products without these chemicals can be found by searching EWG’s SkinDeep database.
A new study shows that young women who use conventional foundation, blush, and mascara have higher levels of phthalates in their blood. Phthalates are hormone-disruptors, and can mimic or block hormones from properly signaling in the body, disrupting important reproductive and neurological systems.
When the young women in the study stopped using
products with phthalates, the level of some chemicals
in their blood lowered up to 45% after three days.
To reduce the amount of phthalates in your blood, swap personal care products for those without phthalates, parabens, or PFAS (or just stop using them). Products without these chemicals can be found by searching EWG’s SkinDeep database.
Expand your mind and understanding of how environmental toxic chemicals affect all of us with these short educational videos.
Cause or Cure? Should we continue to spend billions of dollars on elusive cures?
The Impact of FLUORIDE, a proven neurotoxin, on brain development, especially during prenancy.
Crime of the Century: The failure to prevent the pandemic of lead poisoning over the last 100 years.
The Deadly Impact of Airborne Particles: air pollution is all around us, what can we do?
A growing compilation of brief videos illustrating often unseen environmental hazards that linger in plain sight.
PBDEs are toxic chemicals found in common household products and can have significant impact fetal brain development.
Microplastics result from plastic breaking down into fine particles often containing hazardous toxins. They exist throughout the environment.
PFAS chemicals are known as “forever chemicals” because they never completely break down, leaving them in our soils, our water and our bodies.
Air pollution is a major risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. We can’t escape it, it’s all around us.
Pesticides can cause short-term adverse health effects as well as chronic adverse effects that can occur months or years after exposure.
Allergic disorders have risen dramatically over the last 30-40 years as has our understanding of what causes them and the toxic chemicals that have the greatest impact.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals are found in many common household products and can increase the risk of many diseases.
Allergic disorders have risen dramatically over the last 30-40 years as has our understanding of what causes them and the toxic chemicals that have the greatest impact.
Over a billion children live at extremely high risk for climate change events that can lead to disease and death.
