Lead Poisoning In Environment And Children's Exposure

Pollution is generallyy defined as the release of harmfulchips),the fact that upon exposure children absorb four
environmental contaminants. Pollution can take twotimes more lead than adults, and their susceptibility at a
major forms: local pollution and global pollution. In thecritical 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 incar emissions, water contaminated by lead pipes, old
sufficient concentrations can be a health hazard. Onepaint, emissions from factories, contaminated soil and
slogan, taught in schools was "The solution to pollutionfood contaminated by environmental sources (including
is dilution". In recent decades, awareness has beenimproperly glazed ceramic ware for cooking and food
rising that some forms of pollution pose a globalstorage).
problem.Lead particles can move with water, soil, dust and
Traditionally, serious pollution sources include chemicalwind. The neurotoxic effects of lead depend on the
plants, oil refineries, nuclear waste dumps, regularexposure level and the stage of nervous system
garbage dumps (many toxic substances are illegallydevelopment at the time of exposure. Studies have
dumped there), incinerators, PVC factories, cardocumented that developmental exposure to lead can
factories, plastics factories and corporate animal farmsadversely 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 fordeficit, poor motor coordination, and inadequate
children and is probably the best known example of alanguage 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 theirputting in their mouths.
exposure (hand?mouth activity, ingestion of paint