Toxic Exposure Prevention Project (TEPP): Preventive Environmental Health Training & Consultation for Tibetan Refugees Organized by Solutions in Action and the Tibetan Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Mission: This project helps to prevent and reduce harmful exposure to toxic pollutants that currently endanger the health of Tibetan refugees living in exiled settlements in India. Project Goals: 1) To empower Tibetan health & governmental leaders to educate their communities on: Common toxic substances and their associated health effects Increased health risk suffered by children, pregnant mothers and other vulnerable populations due to toxic exposure Practical ways to prevent and reduce toxic exposure Safer alternatives to the use and hazardous disposal of toxic products 2) To build capacity among Tibetan health and government leaders to develop long-term environmental health policy and staff to implement projects, while encouraging participation of the refugee community they serve. Our Toxic Exposure Prevention Curriculum teaches reduction and prevention of exposure to known carcinogens, fetal contaminants and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s). Major contaminants in exiled settlements include: Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP’s), such as internationally banned pesticide, DDT, and DIOXIN from incineration of plastic and other non-bio-degradable waste; and Heavy Metals such as Mercury, Cadmium, and Lead from batteries and other sources. These poisons are released due to the use, riverbed dumping and burning of plastic, batteries & toxic products. Curriculum was produced and translated in Tibetan through the collaborative work of the CTA Department of Health, & Solutions in Action, with resources provided by Hesperian Foundation and TESI Environmental Awareness Movement (TEAM). Project Update: Last year,The Preventive Environmental Health Conference, was held April 2nd, 2007 in Dharamshala, India. The conference aimed to develop long-term environmental health policy for Tibetans living in India, while promoting inter-governmental and non-governmental cooperation in the dissemination of critical environmental health information. Under the guidance of Honorable Kalon Tripa and Health Minister, Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, this intensive conference brought together Secretaries of the CTA Departments of Home, Health, Education, Religion & Culture; and key staff from the Department of Health. The conference presented current evidence on the harmful health effects of toxic contaminants commonly found in Tibetan refugee settlements. Outcomes and evaluation of past conferences, trainings and environmental health assessment were also presented. This data was then used as a platform for a discussion on the development of a long-term environmental health plan for all 54 settlements in India, Nepal and Bhutan. To implement the plan, the Secretary suggested the possible establishment of a new Environmental Health Division within the DoH. This new branch would serve to monitor environmental health in the settlements; to prevent or address toxic contamination, while working to implement needed environmental health policy and educational programs for Tibetan refugees. This year, we will be conducting post conference follow-up, meetings and consultations to help further develop this long-term environmental health plan, and Environmental Health Division. To this end, we will continue to gather input of all key players within the Tibetan Health Department, along with the Minister (Kalon) of Health, leaders in the CTA Departments of Home, Education and Religion & Culture and Tibetan environmental organization, TEAM (Tesi Environmental Awareness Movement). This project is a culmination of Solutions in Action's experience, since 1995, teaching diverse Tibetan community groups, government departments, schools, teachers and monasteries about environmental health issues and their practical solutions. Support this project by sending your donation to: Solutions in Action, PO Box 266, Williams, OR 97544 USA Donate to Solutions in Action now using PayPal.