Children are far more susceptible to chemicals and pollutants than adults and the increased rate of childhood illnesses is cause for alarm. Children are exposed to a variety of environmental hazards, including indoor and outdoor air pollution, solvents, pesticides, lead, mercury, and other heavy metals. These contribute to certain childhood diseases, such as asthma and leukemia, and to some learning disabilities. For the past 15 years, an epidemic of childhood asthma has been occurring in the United States. Asthma, leading chronic illness in children of the United States, rates have increased 160% in the past 15 years in children under 5 years of age. The impact of increased exposure to adverse environmental factors must be considered as a contributor to the observed increase in chronic diseases and health problems.
Children absorb greater concentrations of pesticides (poisons) per pound of body weight through inhalation, ingestion and contact with the skin. Children are more likely to play on treated floors and grounds. Unwashed hands often find their way to the mouth or to unwrapped snacks. Because many pesticides (poisons) are heavier than air, children's breathing areas are likely to have higher pesticide (poison) concentrations. Children may not read, understand or pay attention to warning signs. A child's biology is different. Their immune system is less developed and may be less protective. Children are extremely vulnerable to classes of synthetic pesticides (poisons) that mimic naturally occurring hormones or enzymes. Developing cells are more easily damaged than cells that have completed development. During the rapid growth period of childhood, cells divide very quickly, making it more likely that a cellular mutation will be reproduced, thus initiating cancer. Because they are younger, children have a longer life span ahead of them for chemically induced health problems to progress. Small doses of neurotoxins can drastically impair the learning process in children.
Source:
The Children's Environmental Health Institute (CEHI). CEHI has been established to identify, validate and develop solutions to address adverse health effects to children occurring as a consequence of exposure to hazardous environmental substances.
The Children's Environmental Health Institute
P.O. Box 50342
Austin, Texas 78763-0342
Phone: 512-657-7405
- Login om te reageren