Environmental Toxins

Paper Summary:

This paper gives a brief overview of the subject of environmental toxins so that we can better understand the dangerous effects that these toxins pose to children and the need for active intervention. The paper discusses the contribution of industrialization and rapid development over the years, to the dangerous levels of contamination. It also discusses the effects that these toxins have on the population.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Children and Their Vulnerability
Permanent Damage
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Further, it is important to realize that young children are still at a developmental stage. Their organ systems are still undergoing growth. In particular, their immune system and the nervous system are in the progress of development and at this stage any damage would seriously affect their cognitive development. The structural disorders that occur during this period may not be rectifiable because the nervous system is not sufficiently developed to recondition the affected pathways. Thus, environmental toxins can result in severe and permanent neurobehavioral dysfunctions. The child may be crippled with severe cognitive deficits, loss of intelligence and associated behavioral problems. Another important factor is that many of the toxic substances take years together to effect their damage. Examples include mesothelioma linked with asbestos, leukemia caused by benzene, Parkinson's disease caused by neurotoxins, etc. So naturally, children, because of their long life have increased risk of manifesting these degenerative diseases from their early exposure. [The Future Of Children]"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ted Schettler, 'Generations at Risk', Available at, http://www.safe2use.com/data/precaut.htm Accessed Dec 4th 2005
• Paul D Thacker, 'Environmental Toxins Permanently Alter Genetics' Available at, http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2005/jun/science/pt_toxins.html Accessed Dec 4th 2005
• Healthy Children Project, 'Exposures', Available at, http://www.healthychildrenproject.org/exposures/index.html Accessed Dec 4th 2005
• The Future of Children, 'Environmental Policy and Children's Health : Children's Vulnerability to Toxins in the Environment', Critical Issues for Children and Youth, Vol 5, No 2, Fall 1995, available at, http://www.futureofchildren.org/information2827/information_show.htm?doc_id=70977 Accessed Dec 4th 2005
• EHP, 'Environmental Toxins and Brain', Vol 104, Nov 1996, Available Online at, http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1996/104-8/niehsnews.html Accessed on Dec 4th 2005

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