Take Action on Lead Poisoning: A Conversation with Impacted Parents and Lawmakers
This webinar is for parents, educators, community health workers, policy makers and anyone else who wants to protect children’s brain health and learning potential. Hear from parents and lawmakers on how lead has impacted them in their state, current legislation, and how you can take action. Co-hosted by the Ecology Center, the Great Lakes Lead Elimination […]
Scientists Unite on How to Protect Children from Toxic Contributors to Autism
We have the opportunity to reduce cases of autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, and other neurodevelopmental conditions by banning the use of chemicals that can harm children’s brains, reducing air pollution, and keeping plastics away from food and drink. The following is a guest blog from Project TENDR. – September 22, 2025 Autism […]
How to lower the arsenic in your family’s rice
A daily staple for many families, rice has hidden health risks. The Learning Disabilities Association participated in another food testing project with Healthy Babies Bright Futures and other partners. LDA helped submit rice samples from Arkansas, Maine, and South Carolina. In total, 145 samples of rice were tested and 100% had arsenic and all but […]
PFAS Chemicals
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals are used to make materials grease and water-resistant. These chemicals are also harmful to our health and are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they do not break down. PFAS chemicals are linked to many health effects including cancer, immune suppression, and may also make vaccines less effective. The Centers for […]
Teaching Lead Poisoning Prevention with Elementary Students
Ecology Center’s Free Lead Curriculum Unit This webinar is an introduction to original lessons and materials – all free – developed to raise awareness about lead exposures and help everyone, including kids, take action to protect families against lead poisoning. Materials include original storybooks, art activities, age-appropriate investigations and problem-solving challenges – all ready to […]
Accidental PFAS Firefighting Foam in Maine
In the next town over from our LDA Healthy Children Project Director, Tracy Gregoire, there was an accidental discharge of 1600 gallons of PFAS firefighting foam at the former naval air station. A malfunction of the system discharged 1600 gallons of PFAS firefighting foam throughout the hanger and into the community. Sadly, the foam was […]
General Resources
LDA’s Healthy Children Project works to protect children from chemicals that can harm their brain health. In addition to our policy and market pressure work, we provide resources to families. Some of our resources include: Download our easy-to-reference one-pager below on how to protect your family from harmful chemicals. Our sun safety page shares tips on […]
Parents have a right to know: New York Pending Bill Aims to Prevent Childhood Lead Exposure and Close Regulatory Loophole
This Mother’s and Father’s Day let’s help end the 100% preventable childhood toxic lead exposure; Every child deserves a safe, lead-free home By: Kathryn Cappella, President, Learning Disabilities Association of New York The science is clear: there is no safe level of lead exposure. The good news is that lead poisoning is 100% preventable. At […]
REI: Tell PFAS to Take a Hike
Nearly every person has PFAS in their bodies. These chemicals stay in our bodies for years and don’t break down in the environment. Studies have linked PFAS to impaired fetal development as well as interfering with the thyroid and low birth weight, which can then affect children’s brains. LDA works to reduce exposure to chemicals […]
How to Keep Your Family Safe in the Sun this Summer
Who doesn’t want to be in the sun right? Sun provides vitamin D and is a boost to our moods. Those are both very good things for sure, but we still need to be careful. Here are a few ways to keep your family safe while you enjoy the sunshine this summer. A big idea […]