Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:48:14 -0700
From: drrapp.assistant@gmail.com
To: mosmpl@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Missouri Green Cleaning Commitee



Dear Sue,

I have been informed that the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has been tasked with developing and providing guidelines for green cleaning in schools.

I helped to make NY state aware of this need 15-20 years ago and they are presently a role model for other states. Claire Barnett, PhD has implemented many of the environmental considerations that we discussed years ago in the preliminary meetings concerning how chemicals and allergies adversely affected students. These issues were addressed by older children and their parents. They presented how adversely they had been affected by exposure to molds, synthetic carpets, bus fumes, dust, aerosols, scented disinfectants, deodorizers and cleaning materials, etc.

In California, 87% of schools use toxic chemicals, and of those, 70% cause cancer and 54% can harm the brain and nervous system. This is one of many such studies. This is simply not right. Let's make the Missouri school system more environmentally safe. See the enclosed short DVD, read my books, see my website, see my appearance on Donahue on YouTube. it shows how chemicals and foods can change how a child feels and learns in minutes after such exposures.

Too few people are aware that the fragrances used in cleaning and in personal body products can cause an inability to think or act appropriately. Many children are symptomatic just from entering a freshly cleaned school lavatory.

Environmental issues do indeed adversely affect how children learn, think, look, act and behave. Let's start to emphasize prevention by not purposely exposing our next generation to harmful chemicals. The public is more and more aware and they are so litigation-minded, it would be prudent to prevent problems. The public will be delighted you are aware of what could be a problem and are taking measures to prevent illness and enable their children to learn better. My book, Is This Your Child's World (available through www.drrappm.com or 1-800-787-8780) contains lots of essential information.

I am certain you will do what is right for all concerned.

Sincerely,

Doris J. Rapp, M.D., F.A.A.A., F.A.A.P.
Board certified in Pediatrics, Allergy and Environmental Medicine
Former Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at SUNYAB

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