Children's Environmental Health

Dunn AM, Burns C, Sattler B: Environmental health of children. J Pediatr Health Care 2003; 17(5): 223-231.

We live in an unsafe environment and children, because of their development, physiology and behavior, are particularly vulnerable. Pediatric environmental health is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness from exposures to environmental hazards. This lengthy article reviews the toxicology, environmental risk factors, and assessment for some common environmental toxic agents.

Children are at high risk because of their rapid metabolism, developmental behaviors (living close to the ground when crawling, hand-to-mouth behaviors) and rapid biologic neurodevelopmental maturation.

The article lists some common pediatric toxicants: lead, mercury, pesticides, environmental tobacco smoke, radon, particulate matter (pollens, diesel exhaust, dust mites, molds), asbestos, and polychlorinated biphenyls (foods and cooking oils), as well as current assessment and management guidelines. Some toxic agents such as lead and polychlorinated biphenyls can be measured with laboratory testing, but many toxins, such as radon and pesticides offer no helpful laboratory tests. Primary care providers are expected to assess, manage, and educate families about environmental