This paper was co-authored by: Dr. Buka, Paediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit at the Misericordia Hospital, along with W. Todd Rogers, PhD, Centre for Research in Applied Measurement and Evaluation, University of Alberta; Alvaro R. Osornio-Vargas, PhD, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico-Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Mexico City, Mexico; Harold Hoffman, FRCP, Department of Occupational Health, Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta; Marni Pearce, PhD, Health Canada; Yuen Yee (Shirley) Li, PhD, COMPRU.
This paper reports on a survey conducted in Edmonton to gather information to determine the magnitude of need for pediatric environmental health services in the community, and address concerns of parents, guardians and health care professionals about the influence of environmental factors on children's health.
After data analysis, it was found that the greatest concern was with outdoor and indoor air pollution and water quality. A startling finding was that both groups surveyed showed similar levels of concern for the same factors.
The health care professionals raised a high concern also on the need for resources, specific training and public education regarding pediatric environmental health.
The results of the survey call for increasing the knowledge of society, including health care professionals, to address the adverse effects of environmental factors in children.
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