Understanding potential health hazards is the first step in making sure kids have a safe and healthy environment to learn, grow and play. The topics below are designed to give child care providers guidance on environmental health regulations for their facilities.
Asbestos is a fiber that has been used in building materials for insulation and as a fire retardant. If these materials are disturbed or damaged in any way — such as when renovating or demolishing a building — asbestos fibers can be released into the air and breathed in. Exposure to asbestos fibers increases the risk of developing health effects — such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
If you are seeking licensure, you are required to hire a Vermont-certified asbestos inspector to conduct a site inspection for asbestos-containing materials. All asbestos-containing materials must be removed and disposed of before any renovation or demolition.
If you have a child care facility in a school, find out about what you need to do under the Asbestos Hazardous Emergency Response Act (AHERA).
Chemicals and other air pollutants can enter your child care facility from the environment, hobbies, household cleaning and personal care products, and even from bacteria, pet dander, dust mites or roaches.
Breathing in air pollutants can lead to allergies and asthma, infections and other health problems that involve the lungs, nose and throat. Babies and young children are especially sensitive, in part because their organs and immune systems are not fully developed.
Here is information about how to create a healthy indoor air environment in your child care facility:
Children’s products — such as toys, furniture, cosmetics, teethers and feeding bottles — may contain many chemicals. The State of Vermont requires manufacturers to report information about their use of chemicals in children’s products designated by the State as Chemicals of High Concern to Children. Learn more about chemicals in children’s products
You must test your facility's drinking and cooking water for lead. If lead is found at or above 4 parts per billion (ppb) at a tap, you must immediately take the tap out of service and take action to eliminate or reduce the amount of lead below the action level. Your facility will need to test for lead every 3 years.
Learn more about lead testing at your facility
Harmful contaminants may be found in both public and private drinking water supplies that can cause significant health risks to babies and children. Testing your drinking water is important to make sure it is free of these contaminants. Learn more about drinking water contaminants and their health effects
On very hot days, sometimes your body temperature control systems can't keep up and your body temperature can get dangerously high. This makes you at greater risk for serious heat illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Children are generally at higher risk for heat illnesses because their bodies warm up faster than adults, they have less sweating capacity than adults, and they may have less awareness of and ability to manage heat risks. Young/small children and children with other health conditions are typically at the highest risk. Have a plan to prepare for hot weather at your child care facility
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in paint and drinking water and may cause serious and permanent health problems. Children and pregnant women are at special risk for lead poisoning. There is no safe level of lead in the body, but lead poisoning can be prevented. Learn more about lead hazards and how to prevent lead poisoning
Under Vermont law, there are specific requirements for all child care facilities built before 1978. Every year, you are required to do Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices – formerly known as Essential Maintenance Practices (EMPs). IRC Practices require an IRC-certified person to do an annual inspection for deteriorated paint, perform a specialized cleaning, and file yearly compliance statements. Learn more about IRC Practices
Under Vermont's Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) regulations, any work done on your child care facility that will disturb painted surfaces needs to be done by someone who is licensed or certified. Learn more about RRPM regulations
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell or taste. It may be present in both soil and water, and levels can build up inside homes and buildings.
Everyone is exposed to some radon in indoor and outdoor air. Radon decays into radioactive particles that can damage your lungs. Breathing in radon increases your risk of getting lung cancer over the course of your lifetime. Because of their lung shape, size and breathing rate, children may take in more radiation from sources like radon.
Unless you test for it, there is no way of knowing if radon is in your child care facility.
The action level for radon is 4.0 pCi/L. This means that if your test result is at or above 4.0 (pCi/L), the Health Department and Environmental Protection Agency recommend reducing radon levels in your home or child care facility.
Registered family child care homes: Order a radon test kit for your facility
Licensed child care centers: Hire a radon measurement professional that is certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program or the National Radon Safety Board.
Hotter and drier conditions are increasing the length of wildfire season across the U.S. Though wildfires are rare in Vermont, residual smoke from fires in Canada can significantly worsen air quality in the Northeast. Children are highly affected by wildfire smoke and other air pollution, especially if they have other health conditions. Find guidance on what to do when the air quality is unhealthy
Envision Program
Phone: 802-863-7220 or 800-439-8550 (toll-free in Vermont)
Fax: 802-863-7483
Email: envision@vermont.gov
