| Description: | These four young children were playing outside in a backyard dirt pile, enjoying the fresh air, physical activity, and interacting as friends. Though it was inside a shady area, it is important to know that sunscreen should be applied on any exposed skin, and children should wear clothing appropriate for this kind of outdoor play including sneakers, shirts, and long pants, all of which protect them from splinters, abrasions, and in this case, soil contaminants and pathogens. It’s also a good idea to have children play in groups rather than alone, not only to improve safety, but for the purpose of cultivating friendships as well. It is also important to note that proper hand washing is a must after playing in any outdoor environment, thereby, removing contaminants from the skin surface, including viruses such as H1N1. It is also important to note that proper handwashing is a must after playing in any outdoor environment, thereby, removing contaminants from the skin surface, including viruses such as H1N1. Keywords: Sunblock Physical activity; Asthma attack, Black; Children; Kids; Hand washing; Clothes washing; Adult supervision; Skin exposure; Community play; Dirt; Parasites; PCBs; Dioxins; Mercury; Lead; Soil contamination; Environmental Health; NCEH |
