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November 2001
Children and the War
We spoke to parents on Michael Coren Live, Crossroads Television, participating in a panel discussion about how to talk to children in this current climate of terrorists attacks and bombing in Afghanistan. Most of the callers where originally from countries in the middle east, who were concerned that their children would be labeled in their own schools and communities. We based our comments on the guide to parents (on our web site at www.cich.ca): talk to children at their developmental level of understanding, ask them questions to make certain of the "real" question and understand more. The reassurance of hugs and "tuck-ins" may by needed. If parents note too much regression, seek help from the school system or a physician.
Infant Flat Spots
CBC has been broadcasting our information to parents who may be concerned that their infant's head might be "flattened" on one side/back because of the recommended sleeping position of the national "Back to Sleep'' campaign. The campaign was launched in 1999 by a coalition of Health Canada, the SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Foundation, CICH and the Canadian Paediatric Society to encourage parents to place babies to sleep on their backs to decrease the incidence of SIDS. While the campaign has resulted in a 60% decrease in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, occasionally infants who do not have enough tummy "play" time and who are always placed in one position develop a flat spot which has NO permanent or brain development effect. In accordance with the joint statement, CICH, CPS (Canadian Paediatric Society), the SIDS Foundation and Health Canada have issued a statement advising parents to counter-position their baby (sleep head end of crib and alternate to foot end ). As infants usually look "out" into the room, this will provide sleeping time on both sides of the head. "Back to Sleep" was reinforced.
Pressure Treated Wood
CICH has been used as a media resource about the potential health effects to children of pressure treated wood. Pressure treated wood is impregnated with a chemical called copper-chromium-arsenate (CCA) - a mixture of salts of copper, chromium and arsenic. These chemicals potentially have an impact upon the health of a child, although the full effect may not be seen for many years. Arsenic, for example, is a known human poison and a carcinogen. Because children often come into close contact with structures built with pressure treated wood, such as decks, fences, retaining walls and especially picnic tables and play structures, we are very concerned about the use of CCA treated wood.
CICH staff has appeared on the CTV National News and other broadcasts with a precautionary message on pressure treated wood. Partially due to our efforts, the City of Ottawa Medical Officer of Health has written a letter to all area child care centers with a warning about pressure treated wood and the City of Ottawa is conducting a review of their use of pressure treated wood. As well, Health Canada is under pressure to speed up their own review of the health effects of PTW and recently announced that all pressure treated wood sold in Canada will soon carry a warning label. Fortunately, simple steps like painting a PTW structure can reduce any exposure to arsenic and other chemicals.
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