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The goal of the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) is to provide expertise about childhood environmental health risks to health care providers, educators, communities, and families.

Telephone Consultation

Concerns regarding childhood environmental exposures can be discussed with a variety of specially trained experts at the Washington Poison Center. These professionals can assist with both long- and short-term exposures. Examples include questions regarding children who have consumed well water subsequently identified as contaminated with pesticides or inquiries concerning solvent exposures associated with painting a child's bedroom. Poison Center experts can also discuss breathing difficulties related to air pollution and asthma related to dust mites. They address some 2000 such inquiries every month.

Clinical Services

Providers specifically trained in both pediatrics and environmental medicine are available on a case-by-case basis to see the children and their families. Clinic visits are available at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle.

For a clinic appointment call 1-877-KID-CHEM.

Training

PEHSU also provides training for health care providers as well as the public on childhood environmental health issues. Much of our training curriculum is based on results from an environmental health survey completed by school nurses, physicians, parents of children in Head Start Programs, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) leaders, and others. The topics of greatest concern reported were air pollution, allergens, food-related hazards, and drinking water quality. Visit our web site to learn more about the training provided by PEHSU.

Personnel

Administrative Office

Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU)
University of Washington (UW)
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Harborview Medical Center
325 9th Avenue, Box 359739, Seattle, WA 98104
Administrative Phone Number: (206) 731-3005

For Assistance Contact 1-877-KID-CHEM

PEHSU was created by the UW Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, together with the Washington Poison Center and Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center. It serves a broad geographic region including Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.

PEHSU is funded by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Children's Health Initiative, and by the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC).