Boston Herald 10/22 Coalition presses candidates on children's health

[Guest guest]

Boston Herald

October 22, 2002

Coalition presses candidates on children's health

by Kay Lazar

A coalition of doctors and community groups who say Bay State children are routinely exposed to harmful chemicals yesterday called on gubernatorial candidates to spell out their plans to prevent childhood diseases linked to toxins.

"There is overwhelming evidence that some toxins can lead to neurological problems in kids," said Dick Clapp, an epidemiologist with Boston University's School of Public Health and a member of the newly formed Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow.

The organization says childhood diseases such as asthma, some learning disabilities and cancers may be linked to cleaning products, pesticides and construction materials used in schools.

The group is asking candidates to explain what they would do to ensure that school construction and renovation projects use the safest materials available.

"Every day I take care of children who are literally struggling for breath," said Dr. Suzanne Steinbach, director of the Pediatric Pulmonary Division at Boston Medical Center.

Steinbach said asthma is the leading cause of student absences. While exact causes of the disease are not known, she said a "common sense" approach by the next governor should include a comprehensive plan to analyze the threats posed by chemicals to children in a variety of public places.

The alliance is also calling for candidates to detail how they would help working-class and minority communities that the group says are disproportionately exposed to prime sources of air pollution, including smokestacks from power plants and trash incinerators.

"The fossil fuel industry is fighting the state's hard-won plan to clean up power plants," said Dr. Jill Stein, a Harvard-trained internist and Green Party candidate for governor who spent years studying the links between childrens' health and exposure to chemicals.

Stein, the only candidate in a field of five to attend yesterday's press conference, called on her competitors to return campaign contributions from special interests who she said have been working against the alliance's principles.