Toxic Threats to Neurologic
Development of Children
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Subject: Toxic Threats to Neurologic Development of Children
Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2001 15:31:50 -0500
From: Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization: Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)
To: Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
Director, State of
California, Department of Pesticide Regulation
cc: Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov
Toxic Threats to Neurologic Development of Children
Ted Schettler
Science and Environmental Health Network, Boston,
Massachusetts, USA
http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2001/suppl-6/813-816schettler/abstract.htm
l
Learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, developmental delays, and emotional and behavioral problems are among childhood disabilities of increasing concern.
Interacting genetic, environmental, and social factors are important
determinants of childhood brain development and function. For many reasons,
however, studying neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities in children is challenging.
Moreover, inadequate incidence and trend data interfere with full understanding
of the magnitude of the problem. Despite these difficulties, extensive
laboratory and clinical studies of several neurodevelopmental toxicants,
including lead, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, alcohol, and nicotine,
demonstrate the unique vulnerability of the developing brain to environmental
agents at exposure levels that have no lasting effect in adults. Historically,
understanding the effects of these toxicants on the developing brain has emerged
slowly while generations of children are exposed to unsafe levels.
Unfortunately, with few exceptions, neurodevelopmental toxicity data are missing
for most industrial chemicals in widespread use, even when populationwide
exposures are documented. The
personal, family, and communitywide costs of developmental disabilities are
profound. In addition to the need for more research, a preventive public health
response requires mitigation of exposures to potential neurodevelopmental
toxicants when available evidence establishes the plausibility of harm, despite
residual toxicologic uncertainties. Key words: ADHD, attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities,
metals, neurodevelopment, neurotoxicology, PCBs, pesticides, polychlorinated
biphenyls. - Environ Health Perspect 109 (suppl 6):813-816 (2001).
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