[ADEQ Media] Governor Napolitano Proclaims October as "Children's Environmental Health Month"

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

Governor Napolitano Proclaims October as "Children's Environmental
Health Month"

PHOENIX (Oct. 7, 2008) - Governor Janet Napolitano has proclaimed
October as "Children's Environmental Health Month," an action that
emphasizes the importance of efforts to protect Arizona's children from
harmful pollutants, according to Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality Director Steve Owens.  

"A bright future for Arizona's children depends upon our commitment to
reduce environmental risks to their health and provide information and
educational materials to help families and educators prevent children's
exposure and treatment to these risks," Governor Napolitano said in her
proclamation. 

Director Owens said ADEQ has made great strides in protecting children
from environmental dangers.  Among the efforts mentioned in the
Governor's proclamation are ADEQ's programs to address school bus idling
reductions, test for leaking fuel storage tanks at schools, promote
integrated pest management at schools, develop asthma action plans and
test for lead in school fountains.

"Nearly 160 Arizona school districts with more than 5,000 buses
participate in our school bus idling program, which protects more than
700,000 Arizona school children from exposure to harmful diesel exhaust
each school day,"  Director Owens said.  "Many districts also are taking
part in our underground storage tank program, and we are in the process
of developing an air quality flag program to give parents and school
administrators early warnings about high air pollution days."

In recognition of Children's Environmental Health Month, ADEQ is
sponsoring events at Show Low Lake and Fools Hollow Lake on Wednesday,
Oct. 8 in which 125 Show Low High School biology students will test and
assess the water quality of the two lakes throughout the day. 

-30-

News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
communications@azdeq.gov.

**********************************************************************
NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR 
CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific 
individual(s) to whom it is addressed.  It may contain information that is 
privileged and confidential under state and federal law.  This information 
may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be 
subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the 
information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-
mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-
mail, and then delete the original e-mail.  Thank you.