Environmental Chemicals and Children

The following summaries were developed to inform audiences such as agency policy-makers, disease prevention programs, and other professionals about the growing links between environmental chemicals and a number of childhood diseases and conditions. The link between environmental chemicals and childhood disease is important because:

• Young children often have higher exposure to environmental chemicals in the home because of their higher breathing rate and natural activity of mouthing or sucking on household objects and surfaces.
• There are critical periods during early childhood development when small exposures to toxic chemicals can have permanent negative effects.
• Without efforts to protect children during early life, lifelong health can be negatively impacted.

Summaries

• Impact of Environmental Chemicals on Childhood Asthma (PDF)
• Impact of Environmental Chemicals on Childhood Cancer (PDF)
• Impact of Environmental Chemicals on Children's Learning and Behavior (PDF)
• Impact of Environmental Chemicals on Childhood Obesity (PDF)
• Impact of Environmental Chemicals on Children's Reproductive Systems (PDF)

Toxics Reduction Initiative

• Protecting Our Children's Health From Toxic Chemicals (PDF)