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Physicians warn of `epidemic' of learning, behavior disorders due to toxins
Reviewing the growing body of evidence implicating toxins as a factor in learning and behavior problems
(see related articles,
Crime Times, 2000, Vol. 6, No. 1, Page 2;
Crime Times, 1999, Vol. 5, No. 3, Page 1;
Crime Times, 1998, Vol. 4, No. 4, Page 4
),
the Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility have issued a hard-hitting report charging that vast amounts of neurotoxins are being released into the air, soil, and water-and that children's brains and behavior are suffering as a result.
The organization notes, "An epidemic of developmental, learning, and behavioral disabilities has become evident among children," with nearly 12 million children-or 17% of the total population of American children-currently suffering from one or more of th
hese disabilities. "These disorders," the group states, "have widespread societal implications, from health and education costs to the repercussions of criminal behavior." While learning and behavioral disorders can have genetic and social causes, the gro
oup's report notes, "toxic exposures deserve special scrutiny because they are preventable causes of harm."
The report notes that over one billion pounds of neurotoxic chemicals are released directly by large U.S. industries, and that in their own state of Massachusetts, for example, "over half of the top twenty chemicals in use . and half of those incorporated
d into products... are known or suspected neurotoxicants." The most dangerous toxins threatening American children's brains, the researchers say, include:
- Pesticides. The paper notes that studies of commonly-used organophosphate pesticides show that "small single doses on a critical day of development can cause hyperactivity and permanent changes in neurotransmitter receptor levels in the brain."
- Lead. Although many physicians believe lead to be a problem of the past, the report notes that in their own state, "the use of lead in manufacturing increased 77 percent between 1990 and 1997." Moreover, recent research indicates that lead dama
ages the brain at levels far lower than previously estimated
(see related article, Crime Times, 2000, Vol. 6, No. 3, Page 2).
- PCBs. Banned years ago, PCBs-used primarily as insulation in electrical transformers, generators, and capacitors-are still present in high levels in the environment. Children exposed prenatally to these chemicals, the report says, "show IQ defi
icits, hyperactivity, and attention deficits when tested years later."
- Mercury. The report notes, "According to EPA estimates, about 1.16 million women in the U.S. of childbearing years eat sufficient amounts of mercury-contaminated fish to risk damaging brain development of their children."
Additional chemicals linked to behavioral and learning problems, the physician group says, include nicotine, alcohol, manganese, dioxin, and organic solvents.
Even when genetic factors contribute to learning disabilities, hyperactivity, and behavior problems, the report notes, toxins may cause additional harm to vulnerable children. They point out, for instance, that two genes-one carried by 4 percent of the po
opulation, and another carried by 30 to 40 percent-increase susceptibility to organophosphate pesticides.
The group calls for increased efforts to reduce children's toxic exposure, noting that "the historical record clearly reveals that our scientific understanding of the effects of toxic exposures is not sufficiently developed to accurately predict the impac
ct of toxicants, and that our regulatory regime has failed to protect children."
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"In Harm's Way-Toxic Threats to Child Development," report of the Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, May 2000. Available for downloading at http://www.igc.org/psr/ihw.htm.
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