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