Poisoned by Poverty: A Call to Improve Health Outcomes for Low-Income and Minority Children

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Often exposed to environmental toxicants in their homes, schools, and communities, children are generally more susceptible to harm from such exposure than adults. Lawyers in legal services can protect children and their families from toxic exposure, particularly the more frequent and more severe ones occurring in low-income and minority communities. They can advocate precautionary approaches toward environmental risks and meaningful community involvement in decision making that affects the health of children. The National Environmental Policy Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 are key laws for children's environmental health and environmental justice issues.

By Marcheta Lee Gillam, Steven Fischbach, and Ralph Scott From May - June 2005