Read more about the studies the Center is conducting of the links between environmental pollutants and health risks.
Environmental Hazards
Scientists at the Center are studying the effects of several common pollutants on children’s health. These include air pollution from fuel burning (PAHs), secondhand smoke, pesticides, pest allergens (such as cockroaches, mice, and dust mites), mold, lead, and mercury. Our research shows that higher exposure during pregnancy to many of these pollutants increases children’s risk of disease. Fetuses and young children are especially vulnerable to these exposures since their biological defense mechanisms are still forming, and they are less capable than adults are of detoxifying harmful substances and repairing damage.
PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are pervasive in the environment, especially in urban areas. They get into the air from fuel burning by car, truck and bus traffic, industry, power plants, residential heating, and even cooking and burning candles or incense at home. Center research shows that high exposure to PAHs in the womb can reduce fetal growth; impair mental and physical development; increase allergic sensitization, respiratory symptoms, and asthma risk; and damage genetic structure.
Pesticides used in the home to control cockroaches, mice, and other pests have been shown to be neurotoxic in laboratory studies. Prenatal exposure to pesticides can disrupt brain growth and synaptic development, and can potentially disturb nervous system development through adolescence. The Center’s research is showing that babies with high pesticide exposure in the womb re born smaller and have higher risk of developmental delays and attentional and behavioral disorders.
Exposure to pest allergens (such as cockroaches and mice) during pregnancy can cause an immune response in babies before they are even born that can increase risk of allergies, respiratory problems, and asthma.