Subject Top Page: SB 25 - Children's Environmental Health Protection Act (CEHPA)

This page updated October 1, 2004.

Children may be more vulnerable to environmental contaminants than adults. The Children's Environmental Health Protection Act (Senate Bill 25) established specific requirements to determine if children are adequately protected from the harmful effects of air pollution. The Act requires the Air Resources Board (ARB) and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) to review all health based California's Ambient Air Quality Standards to determine whether they adequately protect public health, including infants and children. Those found possibly inadequate would undergo full review and possible revision. The Act also requires ARB to determine if the current air monitoring network established to measure air pollution in California adequately reflects the levels of air pollutants than infants and children are breathing. Additionally, the Act also requires that the State's list of Toxic Air Contaminants be reviewed to identify those that might cause infants and children to be especially susceptible to illness and to institute Air Toxic Control Measures (ATCM) that would be needed to reduce exposures.

SB 25 Legislation (PDF)

Cal/EPA's Children's Environmental Health Program

Provides a report that covers children's health activities of Cal/EPA's Boards, Departments and Office for calendar years 2002 and 2003.

Review of California's Ambient Air Quality Standards

Ambient Air Quality Standards are maximum amount of a pollutant that can be present in outdoor air without harm to the public's health. The Air Resources Board, in consultation with the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, are required to review all health-based ambient air quality standards and determine if they are sufficient to protect infants and children. This page details the process and scheduling the review of the standards.

Air Monitoring Results

California's extensive ambient air quality monitoring network was designed to measure regional levels of pollutant concentrations in the outdoor air. The ARB has completed an in-depth air quality monitoring study in six communities and the results are now available. A report on the adequacy of the Statewide air monitoring network is also provided.

Review of Toxic Air Contaminants

The Health and Safety Code requires the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) to develop a list of Toxic Air Contaminants that may cause infants and children to be especially susceptible to illness. The Air Resources Board must then review affected airborne toxic control measures (ATCMs) for these five TACs to ensure they adequately protect infants and children. This link takes you to OEHHA's web site and their efforts related to SB 25.

Other SB 25 Related Activities

	Children's Health Study
	Fresno Asthmatic Children's Environment Study
	Portable Classroom Study

Community Health
Health and Air Pollution

SB 25 - Children's Environmental Health Protection Act (CEHPA)

Resources

Program Links

SB 25 - Children's Environmental
Health Protection Act (CEHPA)