CfiifcCren's JfeaCtfi (Protection Advisory Committee
FACA Members:
Melanie A. Marty, Ph.D., Chair .
Cal/EPA, Office of Environmental
Health Hazard Assessment
1515 Clay St 16th Floor
Oakland CA 94612
(510) 622-3154
Robert Amler, M.D.
Laura Anderko, R.N., Ph.D.
Henry Anderson, M.D.
John Balbus, M.D., M.P.H.
Sophie Balk, M.D.
David Carpenter, M.D.
Gail Cynthia Christopher, D.N.
Ed Clark, M.D.
Rochelle-Davis—
Janice Dhonau
Natalie Freeman, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Maida Galvez, M.D., M.P.H.
Gary Ginsberg, Ph.D.
LeRoy Graham, MX)., F.C.C.P.
Dan Hryhorczuk, M.D., M.P.H.
David Jacobs, Ph.D., C.I.H.
Woodie Kessel, M.D., M.P.H.
Amy D. Kyie, Ph.D., M'.P.H.
Robert Leidich
Janet McCabe
Elise Miller, M.Ed.
Janet Mostowy, Ph.D.-
Nsedu Obot Witherspoon, M.P.H.
Jonathon Patz, M.D., M.P.H.
Jerome Paulson, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Barbara Sattler, R.N., Dr.P.H.,
F.A.A.N.
Pamela ShubaC Ph.D.
AnneTurner-Henson, R.N, D.S.N
August 5, 2008
Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator
United States Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
RE: Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units
Dear Administrator Johnson:
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Pediatric Environmental
Health Specialty Units (PP.HST I) program, an initiative of the EPA
and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. In this
context, the Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee
(CHPAC) established the PEHSU Task Group to assess the capability
and effectiveness of the PEHSU program in addressing children's
environmental health on regional, community and individual levels.
Overall, we found the PEHSU program is an outstanding example of
collaborative, interagency responsiveness to the Executive Order of
April 21,1997, "Protection of Children from Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks" and represents an excellent investment in
children's health consistent with EPA's mission. We commend your
continued support of this outstanding program.
In addition, we are pleased to offer these further observations. The
PEHSU program:
•	Provides leadership on children's environmental
health issues related to air, water and soil quality,
chemical exposures, school health, built environment
and climate change;
•	Is instrumental in enhancing the practice and training
of health professionals to prevent, diagnose, manage
and treat children's environmental health conditions;
•	Establishes effective partnerships with the EPA
regional offices, Children's Environmental Health
Research Centers and other organizations, including
nonprofits and community-based groups; and
•	Through partnerships, addresses significant children's
health issues, including environmental health
disparities, escalating asthma incidence, rising obesity
rates, natural and human-made disasters (such as the
recent wildfires in California), and other community
and public health needs.

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Administrator Johnson
August 5.2008
Page 2
Attached are ;£he PEHSU Task Group's findings, which offer more detailed information .
about the Task Group's process and analysis. We hope this report will help to inform and
enhance the future of the PEHSU program.
We would be happ^y to discuss any of our findings and suggestions with you or your
designee. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee	-	 - 	::
Cc: Howard Frumkin, Director, National Center for Environmental Health, Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Ruth McCully, Director, US EPA Office of Children's Health Protection and
Environmental Education
Attachment

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