EPA co-sponsors symposium on children’s health on U.S.-Mexico border

In cooperation with other public and private sector sponsors, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently hosted health care workers, environmental experts and community leaders for the Children’s Environmental Health Symposium, focused on children living along the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Protecting children’s health is one of EPA’s most important priorities, a goal that factors into nearly all our decisions,” EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry said. “We are so pleased to have [University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)] and our other partners help bring together and educate people who share this goal.”

In addition to UTRGV, the EPA worked the Southwest Center for Pediatric Environmental Health, the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission and the “Strong Cities, Strong Communities” White House initiative. Topics covered throughout the event included air quality, pesticides, tobacco and the manner in which communities can raise awareness of those issues.

“The health and education of our youth is the highest priority,” Veronica Gonzales, UTRGV VP for Government and Community Relations, said. “Our local and regional health care providers, in collaboration with the EPA and Congress, will continue to work tirelessly to ensure all children grow up in nourishing environments. Strong, healthy children excel in school, make the right choices, and develop into positively contributing members of their communities.”