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