Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit: New England

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Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit: New England

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08/25/2026

Last month we completed our annual summer Environmental Justice Climate Change (EJCC) Scholar Program. Over the years, this has become a competitive application process with so many great candidates every year.

Our students leave our program with a greater appreciation for environmental medicine, social determinants of health, and the wide ranging contributions that so many talented people make in this field every day.

Looking back here are a few quotes from some of our first scholars:

“I wasn’t aware of the role the environment plays on medicine.”

“My experience as an EJCC Scholar has sparked an inner calling of protecting the planet, children’s health, and their futures.”

“It was interesting to consider the many connections medicine has with birdwatching.”

08/24/2026

Register now for the November virtual Pediatric Environmental Health Grand Rounds. Registration is free. CME/CEUs are available.

November 10th at 12pm (ET): Abby Fleisch, MD, MPH and Rachel Criswell, MD, MS will be presenting “From Sludge to Blood: Community-based Research and Clinical Care of Patients Impacted by PFAS Contamination in Maine”

Dr. Fleisch is a pediatric endocrinologist at Maine Medical Center, environmental health researcher at MaineHealth Institute for Research, and a Professor of Pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine. She is also adjunct faculty in the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.
Dr. Criswell is a full-spectrum family medicine physician and environmental health researcher practicing at the rural critical access facility Franklin Memorial Hospital in central Maine.
This talk will describe a community per and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination in central Maine from biosolids (treated sewage sludge) reused as fertilizer on farmland. Drs. Criswell and Fleisch will describe their formation of a community-academic partnership to identify exposure pathways and mental health impacts of PFAS-contaminated biosolids. Finally, they will describe their clinical care of patients affected by PFAS and use of the medication cholestyramine to reduce serum concentrations of PFAS.

Register here: https://cecourses.childrenshospital.org/continuing-education/ce-courses/live-event-healthy-homes-grand-rounds-november-10-2026/

08/21/2026

Register now for the October virtual Pediatric Environmental Health Grand Rounds. Registration is free. CME/CEUs are available.
October 13th at 12pm (ET): John W Scott will present “Growing Up in a Chemical World: Emerging Contaminants and Children’s Health”. Mr. Scott is the Illinois State Pollution Prevention Scientist at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

This presentation will provide an accessible overview of emerging contaminants, including PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and other chemicals of concern, with a focus on children’s unique vulnerabilities, exposure pathways, and the current state of scientific understanding. The session will also explore how advances in biomonitoring and environmental measurement are improving our ability to identify chemical exposures and inform research, clinical practice, and public health.

Register here: https://cecourses.childrenshospital.org/continuing-education/ce-courses/live-event-healthy-homes-grand-rounds-october-13-2026/

08/19/2026

Environmental Health Webinar for Health Professionals

Title: “Impacts of the Environment on Lung Health for Healthcare and Community Health Providers | Home, Work, Schools, and Communities”
September 3 at 1:00 - 2:30pm (ET)

This webinar is intended to improve knowledge, skills, and abilities, and reduce gaps in clinical competencies among primary care, general practitioners, community health, and occupational and environmental health professionals in those areas. There will be an expert panel to provide insights to improve clinical care and prevention for children and adults regarding their lung health.

Participants will leave with practical ways to recognize common lung health hazards, discuss prevention strategies, and connect people with trusted resources for healthier homes, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
• Setting the stage for pulmonary hazards and lung health in clinical practice
• Information and resources about healthy homes, schools, workplaces, and communities
• Environmental hazards including emissions and climate
• Behavioral elements like smoking and steps to take to making living and working spaces healthier
• Clinical care guidance and taking patient histories, and much more

Both CME and CNE will be offered.

This webinar is co-hosted by the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC), the American Lung Association (ALA), and leaders from the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU).

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3hraGPjcRKa3Zoy8BYGwZA #/registration

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08/04/2026

We are excited to announce the Pediatric and Reproductive Environmental Health Fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School! This two-year postgraduate fellowship is now accepting applications for the 2027–2029 academic year, with a start date of July 6, 2027. The program is designed for physicians in or who have completed a pediatrics-related residency or fellowship and are interested in advancing the field of environmental health.

Fellows will receive specialized training in children’s environmental health, reproductive environmental health, environmental toxicology, clinical care, research, advocacy, risk assessment, and risk communication. Through clinical experiences, scholarly activities, and community engagement, fellows will develop the skills needed to become leaders in addressing the health impacts of environmental hazards and climate change.

Program highlights include clinical rotations through the Pediatric Environmental Health Center and Children’s Hospital Primary Care Center, opportunities for research, teaching, advocacy, and grant-writing development, and individualized training experiences tailored to each fellow’s interests

Applications are due October 1, 2026.

Apply here: https://gmechildrenshospital.org/training-programs/pediatric-environmental-health-fellowship

07/16/2026

Lead exposures continue to be a concern in many areas of the United States and the world. Lead in the body of a child can lead to learning, memory, attention, and behavioral problems. It can also decrease IQ and lead to anemia and stomach problems. Taking steps to reduce your contact with lead can greatly improve health outcomes for your family.

We have a lot resources to help you learn how to reduce lead exposure and care for children, pregnant individuals, and families. Check out these topics on our website

Sources of lead
Reducing lead exposure
Home testing
Lead and drinking water
Lead in dirt or soil
Iron and lead
Early Intervention (EI)
Working with lead
Legal advocacy
Lead and pregnancy
Chelation
https://www.childrenshospital.org/services/pediatric-environmental-health-center/patient-resources/lead or use the QR code in the image above.

07/15/2026

Are you in one of those areas where the sky looks strange, maybe pink, orange or brownish. This is from the wildfires in Canada traveling down to parts of New England. it is creating poor and unhealthy air quality in our region.

Outdoor air quality for many parts of New England will be “Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups”. There are areas that are considered “Unhealthy” for all.

Check Airnow.gov for air quality in your area and follow the guidance provided.

If you have specific health questions, contact your health provider.

07/13/2026

Pediatric Environmental Health Radio Episode 6: Water Quality & Children’s Health

Our Region 1 PEHSU Co-Director, Dr. Alan Woolf, was a guest on the Pediatric Environmental Health Radio, Episode 6, hosted by our National PEHSU Office.

He’s talking all about: Water quality & kids’ health with a brief discussion about childhood lead poisoning.

Dr. Woolf wears a LOT of hats — Co-Director of the Pediatric Environmental Health Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, and past president of both the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the American Association of Poison Control Centers. He’s also published extensively on childhood poisonings and heavy metal toxicity, and edited two books on kids’ health and toxicology.

If you’re a parent, provider, or just curious about what’s in your water — this one’s for you. 🎧

Use QR Code to listen

07/02/2026

It’s HOT out there!

Record-breaking heat hitting the Northeast this week. We want to share a resource that could genuinely help someone stay safe.

The National Center for Healthy Housing has a list of cooling centers by state. Use the QR code above to find a cooling center near you.

Please pass this along to anyone who might need a break from the heat, especially older adults, outdoor workers, families without reliable AC, or anyone experiencing homelessness. A few minutes of scrolling now could help someone avoid a heat-related emergency later.

Stay cool, check on your neighbors, and stay hydrated.

Visit our website for more heat related resources.
Image made with AI

National Center for Healthy Housing, List of Cooling Centers by State: https://nchh.org/information-and-evidence/learn-about-healthy-housing/emergencies/extreme-heat/cooling-centers-by-state/

06/30/2026

EPA Tools & Resources Webinar
Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
3-4 pm ET

During this webinar, you will hear directly from PEHSU leaders and staff, including Region 1’s Dr Marissa Hauptman, on case studies and other examples highlighting the type of work they do to protect children’s environmental health and safety including working with communities and local, state and tribal entities in their regions.

Register for the webinar https://usepa.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_Atc4WiqZTuaTpUnpOcziMg #/registration

ABOUT PEHSU
The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) are a network of pediatricians, nurses, health educators, and other health professionals with expertise in the prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of health issues that arise from environmental exposures—from preconception through adolescence. They are located in each of EPA’s ten regions.

For nearly 30 years, the PEHSU have helped countless children and their families address adverse health impacts resulting from environmental exposures through consultations, education, and outreach initiatives. The PEHSU are an important source of information not only for healthcare providers, but also for parents, schools, childcare centers, local and state health officials. By having a PEHSU in each region, efforts are focused and specialized to the environmental issues of most concern to their respective communities.

Address

300 Longwood Ave
Boston, MA

Website

http://www.pehsu.net/region1

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