![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Envirobytes - An Environmental Newsletter
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending March 28, 2008
HEAD-START CHILDREN AND PARENTS BENEFIT FROM EPA ASTHMA OUTREACH IN PHILADELPHIA
EPA staff gave a presentation to Head Start students and their parents at the Paul L. Dunbar Public Elementary School in Philadelphia to teach about asthma, its environmental triggers, and to help asthma sufferers lessen the gravity and frequency of their attacks through an asthma management plan. An asthma management plan 
helps treat asthma by reminding the sufferer when to take medicines and when to call a doctor. A special DVD "Arthur goes to the Doctor" navigated the young viewers through a guided tour of Arthur's lungs, introducing them to the causes and effects of asthma. A list of asthma publications for the public are available at http://epa.gov/asthma/publications.html
EPA HELPS STORE PREPARE FOR EARTH DAY FESTIVITIES AND HOW IT CAN IMPROVE ITS ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT
EPA staff helped the Boscov's department store chain promote a store-wide "B Green Day" for April 12 in celebration of Earth Day. The stores will offer recycling events, information booths, and guest speakers for their customers. An EPA consultant for the green events introduced the store's corporate officials with concepts to improve Boscov's environmental footprint such as the Natural Step and the EPA Performance Track program. The Natural Step program guides businesses to become more sustainable. The Performance Track program encourages businesses to surpass their environmental records. For information on the Performance Track Program, go to http://www.epa.gov/perftrac/about.htm. To learn more about the Natural Step program, go to http://www.ortns.org/. The Web site is also offering information on an April 30 workshop introducing the concept.
EPA HELPS BERKS COUNTY (PA) MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAN MILK BOTTLE COLLECTION
Conrad Weiser Middle and High Schools in Berks County, Pa. will test out a milk bottle recycling program. The students are disposing of 3,850 #2 plastic milk bottles per week. The six week pilot program, to be kicked off on Earth Day 2008, will result in the collection of 23,100 milk bottles, or 825 pounds based on 28 bottles per pound, at the Middle School. The Berks County School District plans to expand the program to include two elementary schools and the high school during the next academic year. EPA, the Berks County Recycling Office, and the PADEP are supporting the recycling effort.
SALISBURY, MD CHAPTER OF RETIRED VOLUNTEERS ARE TRAINED IN LEAD POISONING PREVENTION TO EDUCATE OTHERS
EPA's regional Lead Poisoning Prevention Program conducted a training session in Salisbury, Md. to educate members of the Salisbury chapter of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) with the basic tools to educate their local communities on lead poisoning prevention in young children. The main topics covered were lead poisoning’s health effects, lead poisoning prevention cleaning techniques, and adopting good hygiene and nutritional practices. To find out how EPA is addressing childhood lead poisoning in the region, go to http://www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/lp-epadoing.htm
GRANT AWARDED FOR PHARMACEUTICALS PILOT PROJECT
EPA Region 3 has awarded a $12,000 grant to the Women's Health & Environmental Network (WHEN) for a pilot project to address pharmaceuticals in the environment. This pilot project aims to educate the public and healthcare workers about pharmaceuticals in the environment and to encourage the proper collection and disposal of unused pharmaceuticals to protect drinking water sources. For more information about pharmaceuticals in drinking water go to: http://www.epa.gov/ppcp/
To subscribe to eBytes send a blank email to:
join-usepar3news@lists.epa.gov
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to:
leave-usepar3news@lists.epa.gov
