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For Assistance Contact 1-877-KID-CHEM

The Northwest Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) provides free telephone consultation on pediatric environmental health risks to health care providers, public health professionals, communities and families.   PEHSU experts provide the best available, evidence-based advice on the role of environmental exposures on child health, and develop appropriate health management plans.

Telephone Consultation

Pediatric environmental health concerns can be discussed with pediatricians, toxicologists, occupational and environmental medicine physicians, and other environmental health specialists affiliated with the University of Washington.   These professionals assess health risks from short and long-term environmental exposures.   PEHSU works with CARE Northwest, a UW telephone consultation service that provides information on the effects of drugs, chemicals and other agents during pregnancy and lactation .   Expertise on acute exposure calls, such as drug poisonings, is provided by the Washington Poison Center.

Consultation Examples

Caller: A State Health Department Toxicologist

Question: I have evaluated a workplace with significant silica dust exposure. One of the workers has a 2 year old with severe asthma.   We are wondering about the role of his father's "take home exposure" on this child's disease?

Caller: A Family Physician

Question:   I have a family of patients that live near a manufacturing plant that contributes to formaldehyde contamination of neighboring drinking water wells.   What are the health implications for the children?

Caller: A Naturopathic Physician

Question: Several of my school-aged patients tested positive for benzene in a homeopathic diagnostic test. Tell me about benzene diagnostic methods, and how it might relate to their varying symptoms (fatigue, constipation, irregular heart beats)?

Caller: A Pediatrician

Question: My patient is a swimmer and has developed itchy skin, sneezing, sore throat, headache and dizziness immediately after entering the pool. The symptoms stop ½ hour after she finishes swimming. She had similar symptoms once when she touched bleach without gloves on.   Are the child's symptoms related to chlorine exposure?

Caller: A Pediatrician

Question: I think my patient's migraines may be triggered by exposure to formaldehyde. What is known about this and how can I evaluate and address this concern?

Caller: An Obstetrician

Question: I have a patient who is 12 weeks pregnant and who has been consuming tuna fish daily. Her blood levels of methylmercury are elevated. What effect will her exposure to methylmercury have on the developing embryo/fetus?

Caller: A Mother

Question: My doctor told me my child's blood lead level was normal but I have heard there is new evidence that lower levels are of concern. Should I be concerned about my child's blood lead level?

Clinical Services

Providers specially trained in Pediatrics and/or Environmental Medicine are available on a case-by-case basis to see children and their families with environmental health concerns.   Clinic visits are available at the University of Washington Medical Center and at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

For a clinic appointment call, toll free, 1-877-KID-CHEM (1-877-543-2436).

Training

PEHSU experts are available to provide educational assistance on pediatric environmental health risks to health care providers, government agencies, communities and other groups. We work directly with organizations to provide pediatric environmental health risk information based on the specific need(s) of the community or group. For example, we can provide lectures at community hospitals for providers evaluating children and their families with health concerns related to a nearby EPA Superfund site or other environmental concern.

For educational assistance, call 1-206-744-9380.

Administrative Office

Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU)
University of Washington (UW)
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Harborview Medical Center (Pat Steel Building)
Box 359739, 325 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
Administrative Phone Number: (206) 744-9380

For Assistance Contact 1-877-KID-CHEM

NW PEHSU is part of the University of Washington Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program and serves Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.   PEHSU is funded by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the EPA, through the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics.