A: To properly grow, develop, and thrive, pregnant women and children need clean air to breathe; clean water to drink; safe food to eat; and healthy places to live, learn, and play. In many communities across North America, the vulnerabilities of pregnant women, children, and adolescents are not fully understood and they are exposed to environmental risks that can seriously harm their health. Most health care providers are not adequately trained to recognize environmentally-related risks or health problems in pregnant women, children, and adolescents.