Environmental health issues associated with children are present in schools, head start, and daycare facilities on tribal lands, and present an ever increasing set of complex challenges to be addressed. The Environmental Health Assessment of Tribal Child Care Centers in the Pacific Northwest will measure existing levels of environmental contaminants in tribal child care centers located in the Pacific Northwest. In particular, lead levels in dust and soil, allergy-inducing constituent (allergen) levels in floor samples, pesticide levels in soil, floor and play/work surfaces, and PCB levels in dust, soil, and play/work surfaces will be measured. The survey will estimate the number and percentage of child care centers with lead, allergen, and PCB levels above selected thresholds; collect data to identify sources of lead, allergens, PCBs, and pesticides in child care centers; collect data to permit future analysis of hazard control strategies and costs, e.g., contaminated surface areas; and collect data to permit future analysis for regulation, policy and guidance that minimize regulatory burden. IHS and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will also incorporate follow-up outreach and education with facilities to explain results and suggest corrective actions to remediate or reduce exposures from lead, allergens, pesticides, and PCBs that are detected in the facilities. Collaboration between the EPA and IHS serves to reduce survey costs and burden to survey participants.
US Code:
42 USC 241
Name of Law: Public Health Service Act
US Code:
15 USC 2609
Name of Law: Toxic Substances Control Act
There are no program changes or adjustments or increase to the ICR or an existing ICR for this type of information collection. This is a new collection.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.