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Of Interest For: Your Family
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AAPIs
are rooted in both Eastern and Western cultural influences.
While most AAPIs may have the same concerns as other
Americans, some may be more adversely affected by
environmental and public health risks due to to their
diet, lifestyles, and cultural practices.
In recent community dialogues conducted by EPA, the agency learned that most AAPIs are not aware of the health risks (including developmental effects on children) posed by environmental factors. Here is some consumer-related information on topics of interest to AAPIs:
AAPIs tend to consume more fish and shellfish which may contain high doses of mercury, PCBs, and other toxic chemicals if fished from contaminated waters.
A recent study on Asian and Pacific Islander Seafood Consumption was conducted to understand the consumption patterns of Asian and Pacific Islander community members and to raise awareness of possible health risks of seafood contaminated with toxic chemicals.
AAPIs tend to consume more imported and often unregulated products which might have pesticides and pose other food safety concerns. Also, some AAPIs may be using an imported pesticide chalk which is banned in the US and could be mistaken by children as blackboard chalk.
Low income AAPIs living in substandard housing may be exposed to lead paint.
Indoor air
- Asthma
- low income AAPIs are at a higher risk of exposure
to indoor allergens due to the combination of
poor housing, and also may lack access to quality
medical care.
- Cigarette/tobacco smoke - secondhand smoke is a particular problem for AAPI children since the rate of smoking in AAPI groups is high, with lung cancer being the most common form of malignancy.
An estimated 30-40% of the drycleaning industry is comprised of Korean American business owners. Workers and the surrounding community may be exposed to perchloroethylene and other chemicals in the drycleaning process which may affect their health. Some EPA publications are available in Korean.