Pictured from left:: Dr. Ron Feingold, Dean of Ruth S. Ammon School of Education Mr. Patrick Coonan, Dean of the School of Nursing, resident of Malverne Patti Wood, Executive Director of Grassroots Environmental Education Dr. Robert A. Scott, President of Adelphi University. Two of the nation's leading medical experts in the field of children's environmental health will join public policy experts to discuss the growing problem of environmental chemicals in schools at a public health symposium jointly sponsored by Adelphi University and Grassroots Environmental Education. The symposium will take place at the Ruth Harley Student Center at Adelphi on Friday, October 27th from 1 to 3 pm.

Hosted by NPR's Brian Lehrer, the program will include in-depth interviews with Dr. Leo Trasande, Associate Director of the Center for Children's Health and the Environment (CCHE) at Sinai Medical Center in New York and Dr. Ted Schettler, Science Director of the Science and Environmental Health Network (SEHN), and principal author of In Harm's Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development. CCHE is the nation's first academic research and policy center to examine the links between exposure to toxic pollutants and childhood illness. SEHN, founded by a consortium of environmental organizations concerned about the misuse of science in ways that failed to protect the environment and human health, engages communities and governments in the effective application of science to protect and restore public and ecosystem health.

As the incidence of childhood illnesses continues to rise nationwide, medical experts and researchers are focusing on the role which environmental factors such as diesel exhaust, pesticides and chemicals contained in cleaning products may play. Asthma, cancer and neurological disorders, including ADD and ADHD, have all recently been associated with environmental exposures.

Dr. Schettler and Dr. Trasande and will be joined by:

* Jay Feldman, a co-founder and director of Beyond Pesticides (formerly the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides);

* Patricia Wood, founder and executive director of Grassroots Environmental Education, a Visiting Scholar at Adelphi University and co-producer of "The ChildSafe School."

* Emilia Patricia Zarco, MD, MEd, Associate Professor of Health Studies, Physical Education and Human Performance Sciences at Adelphi University.

* New York State Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli will provide a Legislative Report.

"Recent studies show that a growing number of developmental disabilities are attributable to chemicals commonly found in the environment." says Patti Wood, organizer of the event. "Parents, educators and policy makers need to know about this research, and to learn about simple, inexpensive policies which can profoundly improve the quality of school environments."

Participants in the 10/27 Symposium will receive vital information enabling them to evaluate and improve their school districts and protect their communities from environmental toxins. Attendance is encouraged by pediatricians and health professionals, school administrators, school health officials, teachers, PTA leaders, parents, caregivers and others concerned about children's health issues. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For detailed information about the conference and to register: www.grassrootsinfo.org/ocar_adelphi.html or call 516-883-0887.

Continuing education credits are available for professionals.

The Symposium is Sponsored by Adelphi University's School of Nursing and the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education and Grassroots Environmental Education www.grassrootsinfo.org.

Whole Foods Market and Mountain Valley Spring Water will provide healthy refreshments at the event.

For more information about the speakers, please visit the Grassroots website at: http://grassrootsinfo.org/adelphi_spk.html.