Recent incidents of civil unrest and mass gatherings in response to ICE actions across the country pose significant risks for infants and children. NPDC is deploying the following JIT information to assist your family, organization and community during these uncertain times. A study published in April of 2025 concluded that civil unrest had an immediate impact on child health care. When tear gas exposure occurs, decontamination is critical, and contrary to public practices seen in the media, water and not milk should be used. 

Planning for Civil Unrest (AAP webinar) https://bit.ly/3yr3J42

Civil Unrest Resource Guide (PPN Resource Central) https://resources.pedspandemicnetwork.org/resource-guides/civil-unrest/

TearGas and Children Fact Sheet (WRAPEM) https://bit.ly/46DXre8

Eye Safety during Protests (American Academy of Ophthalmology) https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/protect-eye-safety-protest-rubber-bullet-tear-gas

Tear Gas and Breast Feeding (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/exposures/tear-gas.html

Science of Tear Gas (Provides detailed information on the tear gas toxicity) https://youtu.be/-1cHf3qHIrg?si=WiolyNMEB9pEnl5t

Finally, as with all traumatic events, it is essential to support children’s mental health and control their exposure to media.

Call to Action: 

• Review the information and share it with the appropriate members of your community
• Know how to protect yourself and your children in the event you are caught up in a civil unrest situation. 
• Know that civil unrest can cause multi-casualty incidents and hospital surges and prepare accordingly.

For more information like this right to your email, please follow and checkout the National Pediatric Disaster Coalition.

www.npdcoalition.org
nationalpedicoalition@gmail.com
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