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WHEREAS, October is nationally recognized as Children's Health Month to raise awareness and understanding of children's environmental health issues, seek policy changes to improve the health and well-being of children, and encourage actions that promote sustainability and environmental well-being; and,
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Constitution recognizes and protects residents' right to clean air and clean water: "Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all people"; and,
WHEREAS, children are more susceptible to environmental risks, such as air pollutants and other toxicities, than adults because they breathe more air, drink more water, and consume more food in relation to their body weight than fully grown adults. Also, their brains, lungs, immune, and natural defense systems are rapidly developing and less developed than those belonging to adults; and,
WHEREAS, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, nearly 16,000 premature births occur annually due to air pollution. In addition, Environmental Health Perspectives projects that approximately 500,000 children ages 1-5 years old have blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter, the level on which the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends public health action; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh is taking strides to improve air quality, water quality, and the health of our residents, visitors, and future generations by investing in multi-modal transportation options, creating a more sustainable municipal operation, working to mitigate the effects of climate change, advocating for policy changes at the state and federal levels, and supporting the Lead Service Line Replacement Program citywide; and,
WHEREAS, through its Healthy Homes, Healthy Schools and Healthy Early Learning prog...
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