Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit: New England

Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit: New England We have moved to
We are 1 of 10 national units providing consultation, care, and e

Attn Health Professionals:We don’t usually think of high blood pressure as a childhood issue.But what if the story begin...
02/19/2026

Attn Health Professionals:

We don’t usually think of high blood pressure as a childhood issue.

But what if the story begins before kindergarten?

Air pollution - Toxic metals - PFAS

Growing evidence from birth cohort studies shows these early exposures may influence children’s blood pressure and obesity risk.

The big question we’ll be asking at Grand Rounds:

How do we protect children from exposures that have already happened?

PFAS HealthyCommunities

Environmental Health Equity Courses Bundle (2.5 hours) We are very proud to share that the Massachusetts Department of P...
01/26/2026

Environmental Health Equity Courses Bundle (2.5 hours)


We are very proud to share that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health in partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Environmental Health Center and the Boston Children’s Hospital Center for Educational Excellence and Innovation (CEEI) partnered to develop the “Environmental Health Equity Courses” for healthcare professionals.

These courses are designed for community health workers, local public health professionals, and anyone who may be interested in environmental health equity, justice and climate change. Take separately or as a bundle. For credit or without. Available in Spanish

Topics include
Introduction to Environmental Health
Environmental Justice and Social Determinants of Health
Climate Change and Health
Extreme Heat
Poor Air Quality
Poor Recreational Water Quality
Insect-Related Disease


For credit options
Individual courses https://dme.childrenshospital.org/continuing-education/ce-courses/?swoof=1&pa_topic=environmental-health

Course Bundle (save money) https://dme.childrenshospital.org/continuing-education/ce-courses/environmental-health-equity-courses-bundle-2-5-hours/


Free without credits
https://www.mass.gov/resource/environmental-health-equity-and-climate-change-educational-videos

In Spanish
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/cambio-climatico-y-salud

We are proud to share a new educational opportunity “Partnering to Protect Our Children’s Future Through Lead Poisoning ...
01/26/2026

We are proud to share a new educational opportunity “Partnering to Protect Our Children’s Future Through Lead Poisoning Prevention”.

This comprehensive course equips healthcare professionals with the essential knowledge and skills necessary for effectively managing blood lead screening in children. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of the universal blood lead screening requirements, ensuring they can accurately implement these standards in clinical practice.

This module was developed in partnership with the Boston Children’s Hospital Center for Educational Excellence and Innovation, Rhode Island Department of Health and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Take this course for free or receive CE credit for multiple disciplines.

https://dme.childrenshospital.org/continuing-education/ce-courses/partnering-to-protect-childrens-future-lead-poisoning-prevention/

The Pediatric Environmental Health Center will be hosting a FREE Pediatric Environmental Health Grand Rounds on February...
01/20/2026

The Pediatric Environmental Health Center will be hosting a FREE Pediatric Environmental Health Grand Rounds on February 10, 2026 at 12:00pm (ET). Emily Oken MD MPH, Professor and Chair of the Department of Population Medicine at Harvard Medical School, will be presenting “Where I Live and Breathe: Reflections on How Home Environments Influence Health”.

In this Grand Rounds, Dr. Oken will review the evolution of public health guidelines regarding fish consumption for pregnant women and children. It will include a discussion of the potentially beneficial nutrients and harmful toxicants commonly found in fish, as well as how efforts to communicate this nuanced message have influenced health behaviors. CEU available.

Register now at https://dme.childrenshospital.org/continuing-education/ce-courses/hhfeb2026/.


January is Radon Awareness Month Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of...
01/16/2026

January is Radon Awareness Month

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, water and rock—and it can build up inside homes, schools, and workplaces without anyone knowing.

🔹 Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
🔹 Children may be at higher risk due to smaller lungs, higher breathing rates and more time spent indoors
🔹 The only way to know your radon level is to test

The good news?
✔️ Testing is simple and affordable
✔️ Radon exposure is preventable
✔️ Fixing the cause of radon will reduce radon levels and the risk of exposure

This Radon Awareness Month, we encourage families, schools, childcare centers, and healthcare providers to test indoor spaces to protect children’s health—today and for the future.

Learn more about testing and mitigation:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) resources https://www.epa.gov/radon

Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN) Radon Reduction Toolkit https://cehn.org/radon-reducation-toolkit/ and Factsheet https://cehn.org/radon-factsheet/





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We’re excited to share that the PEHSU is now featured on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)main homepa...
11/18/2025

We’re excited to share that the PEHSU is now featured on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)main homepage! This national recognition highlights the important work happening across our network to protect children’s environmental health.

Check it out at the CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/







There is a recall on infant formula for botulism contamination. Infant can make babies VERY sick. If your child has b...
11/17/2025

There is a recall on infant formula for botulism contamination. Infant can make babies VERY sick.

If your child has been given formula, pay close attention to the signs of illness.
Constipation (not pooping)
Poor feeding (eating less)
Weak cry
Floppy arms and legs
Face and eyelid drooping
Paralysis (can’t move)
If your child gets sick, Seek URGENT Medical Attention. Call your pediatrician or go to emergency department, whichever is quicker.

If you have ByHeart formula,
Stop using immediately
Watch your child closely
Clean any kitchen items that have touched the formula.
Save can for testing. Keep out of reach of children.

ByHeart
information and support

https://byheart.com/

FDA
investigation and resources

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/byheart-broadens-voluntary-recall-while-investigation-continues

🌿 Massachusetts officially proclaimed October 9th as Children’s Environmental Health Day! 💚Huge thanks to Maura Healey ...
10/13/2025

🌿 Massachusetts officially proclaimed October 9th as Children’s Environmental Health Day! 💚

Huge thanks to Maura Healey for recognizing that environmental and climate solutions are health solutions.

Every child deserves clean air, safe housing, and healthy places to live, learn, and play. From lead prevention and clean air initiatives to climate resilience and environmental justice, Massachusetts continues to lead the way. 🌎✨

So proud to work alongside incredible colleagues, families, and community partners through Boston Children’s Hospital and the Region 1 PEHSU — all committed to building a healthier, safer world for every child. 💚

🌿 Celebrating Children’s Environmental Health Day! 🌎Each year, Children’s Environmental Health Day reminds us that every...
10/09/2025

🌿 Celebrating Children’s Environmental Health Day! 🌎

Each year, Children’s Environmental Health Day reminds us that every child deserves to grow up in a healthy environment—free from lead, pollution, and toxic exposures. Protecting children’s health starts with awareness, education, and collaboration across families, healthcare providers, schools, and communities.

In honor of the day, the New England Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) and the Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Environmental Health Center are sharing 10 trusted resources to help clinicians, educators, and families learn more about keeping kids safe and healthy where they live, learn, and play.

👉 Explore the full list below and share with your networks to help spread the word!

🌿 It’s the 10th anniversary of Children’s Environmental Health Day! 🌎For ten years, this day has brought people together...
10/09/2025

🌿 It’s the 10th anniversary of Children’s Environmental Health Day! 🌎

For ten years, this day has brought people together around one goal — helping kids grow up healthy in the places they live, learn, and play.

At the New England PEHSU and Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Environmental Health Center, we’re celebrating by sharing new learning opportunities for health professionals focused on Healthy Homes, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Health Equity.

Here’s to 10 years of progress — and the work still ahead to protect EVERY child’s right to a healthy future. 💚

Happy almost Children’s Environmental Health Day! from your Region 1 PEHSU
10/08/2025

Happy almost Children’s Environmental Health Day!
from your Region 1 PEHSU

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Disclosures

This material was supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and funded (in part)by the cooperative agreement award number 1 NU61TS000296-01-00 from the Agency forToxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Acknowledgement: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports the PEHSU by providing partial funding to ATSDR under Inter-Agency Agreement number DW-75-95877701. Neither EPA nor ATSDR endorse the purchase of any commercial products or services mentionedin PEHSU publications.