100F05031A UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 April 11, 2005 Dear Friend: OFFICE OF CHILDREN'S HEALTH PROTECTION On behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Aging Initiative, I am pleased to present to you fact sheets and a poster created for older adults and their caregivers that address environmental health hazards. These materials outline the simple but important steps that can be taken to reduce exposure to environmental hazards and improve the health of older adults. More than two million Americans age 65 and older have asthma. Meanwhile, eleven million Americans, many of them over 65 years of age, are living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. The fact sheet and poster entitled "Age Healthier, Breathe Easier" outline simple steps that older adults with these respiratory diseases can take to reduce and control the frequency of their symptoms. During an average summer, approximately 1,500 people die from excessive heat events in the United Sates. Most of the victims tend to be 65 years of age or older. The fact sheet "It's Too Darn Hot: Planning for Excessive Heat Events" discusses ways that older adults can reduce their exposure to excessive heat and measures that local governments can take to predict and respond to excessive heat events. In addition, older adults may be more susceptible to the effects of pesticide exposure, and they can also play an important role in keeping grandchildren safe from pesticides by keeping them out of reach. Our "Effective Control of Household Pests" fact sheet discusses responsible pesticide use across generations. Knowing of your interest in the health of older adults, we encourage you to help us get these materials into the hands of older adults and their caregivers. English versions of these materials (as well as Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese translations) can be downloaded on EPA's Aging Initiative website www.epa.gov/aging. On our website, you will also find news, grant opportunities, and other information on environment and aging. Our list serve also gives a monthly summary of funding opportunities in government and the latest news topics in the field of aging and environment. You can subscribe to our list serve at http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/listserv.htm. We would be happy to send additional printed copies of the poster and fact sheets to you at no cost. Please send an email to aging.info@epa.gov. specify the quantity you would like and where to send the materials, or give me a call at (202) 564-3651. Sincerely, Kathy Sykes, Senior Advisor, VCging Initial" Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Postconsumer, Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper ------- |