Sun facts

The Skin Cancer Foundation has created The Sunsational Guide to Smart Sun Safety to educate youth about the adverse effects of the sun and need for proper skin protection.

The guide will be available April 1 at www.skincancer.org/school. The program will include in-school and online components on the science of the sun and safety information. Educational materials and lesson plans can be downloaded by teachers, health departments and parents.

Healthy first steps

The state's first lady, Michelle Paige Paterson, is visiting schools to promote her new anti-obesity initiative, "Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady's Challenge."

The six-week fitness program is geared toward students in grades 6-8, with participating classrooms representing a team whose members log their physical activity and track progress online.

Teams across the state will compete to win prizes that include a visit to the governor's mansion. Check out www.healthystepstoalbany.ny.gov.

NYSUT also has a health initiative available to teachers and students, called 24/7 Let's Go! for tracking student exercise and good eating habits. Go to www.nysut.org and click on Health Care Professionals in the Professionals Center.

No fine print

Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive and other household cleaner giants are being sued for allegedly ignoring a state law requiring them to disclose the chemical ingredients in their products and the accompanying health risks.

EarthJustice, a nonprofit public interest law firm, has filed suit on behalf of a coalition of state and national health advocate groups, including Environmental Advocates of New York, the New York Public Interest Research Group and the American Lung Association. NYSUT issued a letter of support for the cause.

A little-observed 1976 New York state law requires cleaning product companies to file semiannual reports listing chemicals used and company research on their side effects, which may include asthma, skin problems and hormone disruption.

School health info

The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services links educators and health professionals to information essential to building effective school health programs. Go to www.healthinschools.org.