Article misses the potential role of the environment in rise of disabilities.
A Reuters article misses the potential role of chemical exposures as a possible culprit in the reported rise of developmental disabilities in U.S. children.
A recent story by Frederik Joelving of the Reuters News Service highlights an important government report that shows that developmental disabilities in U.S. children have been on the rise in recent years.
While the story points out that part of the increase may be due to a change in risk factors – such as increasing parental age – the article misses an opportunity to highlight the potential role of broader environmental exposures in such trends. When rates of disability or disease begin to rise quickly, many scientists begin to suspect a role for the environment in the development of those diseases.
The reporter points to maternal obesity and smoking as possible influences at the very end of the article, but there is no mention of the impact of environmental chemicals that may play a role as a risk factor.
Little is known about the potential for developmental neurotoxicity of most of the thousands of chemicals used today in industrial processes and consumer products because most have not been tested. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working to resolve this deficiency through new and innovative approaches, such as the ToxCast screening chemical program.
One review report from 2006 finds at least 200 chemicals can affect the adult human brain with hundreds more implicated in laboratory studies. But years later, little is still understood about effects on a developing brain.
Exposure to some chemicals – especially while in the womb or during the early years of life – can affect brain development and intelligence later on. Some known neurotoxicants include lead and mercury. There is increasing evidence that organophosphate pesticides and certain phthalates are also neurotoxicants.
The public should be informed that some chemicals with wide environmental exposures can affect brain development and function as shown in human and animal studies.
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Based on a work at www.environmentalhealthnews.org.
