Note, this checklist is just a beginning. We hope it helps you recognize the kinds of questions that parents need to ask. For complete explanations about potential chemical hazards, and solutions for keeping your kids safe and healthy, please refer to the source, RAISING HEALTHY CHILDREN IN A TOXIC WORLD: 101 SMART SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY FAMILY.

	How OLD is your house?
	built before 1970 built after 1970
	Is there chipping or peeling PAINT in your house?
	yes no
	Do the WINDOW WELLS have solid material?
	yes no
	Is the PLUMBING more than 40 years old?
	yes no
	Is the plumbing less than five years old?
	yes no
	Do you have LEAD PIPES?
	yes no
	Has your water been tested for lead?
	yes no
	Do you have a BASEMENT?
	yes no
	Are the basement PIPES insulated?
	yes no
	Are any CEILINGS covered with sprayed-on or troweled-on material?
	yes no
	Are there SLEEPING or PLAYING areas in the basement?
	yes no
	Are there CRACKS in the basement floor or walls or GAPS between the basement ceilings and walls?
	yes no
	Do you have one or more working FIREPLACES? Does SMOKE enter the room when you use the fireplace?
	yes no
	If you have a WOOD-BURNING STOVE in your home, is it properly vented?
	yes no
	Do you have STORM WINDOWS?
	yes no
	Do you have a GAS STOVE?
	yes no
	Does your gas stove have a PILOT LIGHT?
	yes no
	Do you use your gas stove for HEAT?
	yes no
	Do you use KEROSENE space heaters?
	yes no
	Do you use a gas CLOTHES DRYER?
	yes no
	Do you have forced HOT-AIR heat?
	yes no
	Do you have an electronic AIR CLEANER?
	yes no
	Do you have a furnace HUMIDFIER?
	yes no
	Is your home INSULATED?
	yes no
	Has your house ever been treated for TERMITES?
	yes no
	Do you know what PESTICIDE was used during the termite treatment?
	yes no
	Do you use PESTICIDES on your lawn or garden?
	yes no
	Do you use a commercial LAWN SERVICE?
	yes no
	Do you STORE pesticides in the house?
	yes no
	Do you DISPOSE of unused or leftover pesticides at a hazardous waste facility?
	yes no
	Do you keep old PRESCRIPTION DRUGS in the medicine cabinet?
	yes no
	Do you keep MOTOR OIL or GASOLINE in the house or garage?
	yes no
	Do you keep SOLVENTS such as alcohol, toluene, dry-cleaning fluids, or degreasing solvents in the house?
	yes no
	Does anyone in your house SMOKE?
	yes no
	Does anyone in your house MAKE stained glass, pottery, jewelry, or fishing weights?
	yes no
	Does anyone REFINISH furniture at your home?
	yes no
	Do you use any of the following PRODUCTS: toilet-bowl cleaners, room deodorizers, polishes, varnishes, or paint thinners?
	yes no

This checklist was excerpted from RAISING HEALTHY CHILDREN IN A TOXIC WORLD: 101 SMART SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY FAMILY by Philip J. Landrigan, M.D., Herbert L. Needleman, M.D., and Mary Landrigan, M.P.A. For more information and to obtain a copy of the book please visit shoppbs.org.