I just watched part 1 of CNN’s ‘Toxic America’. I’m so glad that this topic is gaining more mainstream coverage! It inspired me to share some relevant resources that I have encountered recently.
Last night’s segment highlighted more extreme stories, of those with serious health issues (such as a range of cancers, hysterectomies, lost kidneys, and more) as what they believed to be a result of living near chemical plants. For those of us who don’t live near chemical plants, please keep in mind that we are surrounded by our own constant source of pollution within our own homes. Children are especially vulnerable.
Children Are Particularly Vulnerable to Chemicals
From the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center:
Children are not simply “little adults.” Four fundamental differences between children and adults contribute to children’s heightened susceptibility to environmental toxins. *
- Children have disproportionately heavy exposures to environmental toxicants due to their greater intake pound-for-pound of food, water, and air, coupled with their unique behaviors – in particular, hand-to-mouth behavior.
- Children’s metabolic pathways, especially in the first months after birth, are immature. In many instances, they are less able than adults to deal with toxic compounds.
- Children are undergoing rapid growth and development. These developmental processes create windows of great vulnerability in which the course of development can be permanently disrupted by environmental toxins.
- Because children have more future years of life than adults, they have more time to develop chronic diseases that may be initiated by early exposures.
*National Research Council. Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2000.
The Toxic Sandbox
A few weeks ago, I read The Toxic Sandbox: The Truth About Environmental Toxins and Our Children’s Health (2007) by Libby McDonald. Applying her background in investigative journalism and motivated as a concerned parent, the author did a good job of separating important facts (as of the publishing date of 2007) from the alarmist myths. I also liked her incorporation and consideration of research and interviews with top medical, toxicological, and environmental experts. I took many notes from this book, and they are kept in myEnvironmental Toxins “file”. This book helped wake me up to environmental hazards to which I may be inadvertently exposing my children.
Recent Articles
In addition, my mommy email groups have also been circulating relevant articles recently: The Plastic Panic; Study: Many Sunscreens May Be Accelerating Cancer; For Very Young, Peril Lurks in Lithium Cell Batteries; and ‘Dirty dozen’ produce carries more pesticide residue. I thought I’d share these suggestions as well.
CNN’s ‘Toxic America’
I’m looking forward to part 2 of CNN’s ‘Toxic America’ which airs Thursday June 3 at 8pm EST. It looks like it will focus more on children and toxins. I will write more after watching that segment!
Notes from my Environmental Toxins “file”:
