Fetuses, infants, and toddlers, as well as older children and
teens are particularly susceptible to environmental insults due
to their rapid rate of growth, development and reproduction of
cells. This vulnerability makes children a specific focus of
environmental health research on the effects of lead, chemical
dump sites, pesticides, PCBs, benzene, environmental estrogens,
and outdoor and indoor air contaminants. Scientists want to know
which substances pose significant health risks, how to identify
susceptible children, and how to intervene to prevent illness.
The following are some of the studies conducted or financed by
the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, one of
the National Institutes of Health, which focus on children: Lead
(commonly found in old paint, household dust, soil, pipe solder
and some ceramics) has long been known to cause severe health
problems at high doses, including muscle and abdominal pain,
mental impairment, paralysis, and even death. Recent studies
supported by th