| Pollution is generallyy defined as the release of harmful | | | | chips),the fact that upon exposure children absorb four |
| environmental contaminants. Pollution can take two | | | | times more lead than adults, and their susceptibility at a |
| major forms: local pollution and global pollution. In the | | | | critical period of brain development. |
| past, only local pollution was thought to be a problem. | | | | Children may be exposed to lead in leaded petrol from |
| For example, coal burning produces smoke and in | | | | car emissions, water contaminated by lead pipes, old |
| sufficient concentrations can be a health hazard. One | | | | paint, emissions from factories, contaminated soil and |
| slogan, taught in schools was "The solution to pollution | | | | food contaminated by environmental sources (including |
| is dilution". In recent decades, awareness has been | | | | improperly glazed ceramic ware for cooking and food |
| rising that some forms of pollution pose a global | | | | storage). |
| problem. | | | | Lead particles can move with water, soil, dust and |
| Traditionally, serious pollution sources include chemical | | | | wind. The neurotoxic effects of lead depend on the |
| plants, oil refineries, nuclear waste dumps, regular | | | | exposure level and the stage of nervous system |
| garbage dumps (many toxic substances are illegally | | | | development at the time of exposure. Studies have |
| dumped there), incinerators, PVC factories, car | | | | documented that developmental exposure to lead can |
| factories, plastics factories and corporate animal farms | | | | adversely affects several specific brain functions, |
| creating huge amounts of animal waste. | | | | resulting in particular in learning disabilities, attention |
| Lead is still the single most important chemical toxin for | | | | deficit, poor motor coordination, and inadequate |
| children and is probably the best known example of a | | | | language development. Do a thorough check of your |
| neurotoxin to which children are particularly vulnerable. | | | | home and always watch what your children are |
| Their special vulnerability to lead is related to their | | | | putting in their mouths. |
| exposure (hand?mouth activity, ingestion of paint | | | | |