When children scramble on the wooden play structure at Cindy's Kids in northeast Salem, they aren't thinking about chemical wood preservatives, but owner Cindy Anderson is.
She picked the structure because it doesn't contain chemical finishes that could end up in children's mouths or the soil. Anderson is one of eight child care providers in Salem recognized as Eco-Healthy Child Care through The Oregon Environmental Council.
The program endorses day-care providers who strive to reduce a wide range of environmental toxins - such as pesticides and lead. Now the Oregon program, the first of its kind in the nation, is launching pilots in seven states and is slated to become the model for national Eco-Healthy Child Care.
"It is the green program for child care in the nation right now," program director Hester Dooley said.
Already the center recognizes 704 providers serving 28,000 children around the country, including Ana Mora's two children in Salem.
Mora admits environmental toxins weren't on her checklist when she started looking for child care. Her daughter Maggie felt at home in Cindy Anderson's living room and that was that. But now the Salem mom will look for the endorsement.
She's not alone.
Parents want to know about things like pesticide and household chemical use now, Cindy Anderson said. Last week, three parents called Anderson after finding her information on the Eco-Healthy Child Care Web site.
To qualify, child care providers promise to follow at least 20 of the 25 low-cost, high-impact resolutions to reduce children's exposure to chemicals. Measures include using nontoxic pest control, avoiding vinyl toys, eliminating scented candles and air freshener and using only low VOC latex paints and nontoxic art supplies.
Full story: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090205/NEWS/902050347/1001
